Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I will never forget the night I received the call of your passing. You will not be forgotten.
I remember some of your funny moments as well as a few of the ones when you made me mad. But mostly we all remember your smile and your selection of cologne.
I hope that you continue to watch over us all.

Cpl. Mike Barnes
Burr Ridge Police Dept

August 6, 2008

jon-

you moved to heaven
i moved to tennessee

love,
lisa k

Lisa K.
Sister of Jon

July 23, 2008

Hey Jon...just thinking about you and missing you even more. How I wish you could be here. Keep watching over our guys and girls in blue. forever in my heart.....305

Mary Schu
Joliet PD

June 29, 2008

Jon -- Steve and I were out in Washington, D.C. last week for the National Police Week they hold out there each year. One of our first stops was to visit the police memorial they have to honor those fallen officers. Seeing your name on the wall was a very emotional experience for both of us. I knew it would be difficult seeing your name, but until we actually got there I don't think it sunk in how hard it would be. Somebody else was there thinking of you too, because on the second day we were there and went to visit the site again, we found that somebody had brought your boots and bicycle helmet to display in front of your section of the wall. It was comforting to know others were there last week honoring your memory as well. We both miss you terribly and continue to think of you often. I'm very thankful we had the opportunity last week to be a part of remembering you. You're never far from our thoughts.

Carrie McNamara
Friend

May 20, 2008

I am getting ready to leave for the Illinois Cops Memorial in Springfield, IL today. I am excited to spend some time there reflecting about my brother Jon and his service in law enforcement, but at the same time I have a little lump in my throat. I miss him so much and reminders like these are bittersweet. Jon, you are always in my thoughts and I am proud of you and miss you. The girls are coming with me this year and will be in the 5K "Run to Remember" in Peoria this weekend. They are so excited and have told everyone at school about you and our trip this weekend. Love you.

Lisa

Lisa Kralik
Sister

April 29, 2008

Thank you for all that you have done for Joliet. For you did make it safe well you where there.

Kasey
Friend

April 27, 2008

You are always in our thoughts. You may be gone but will never be forgotten. God bless

wife
jpd officer

April 27, 2008

Thinking Of You!

Asian Lisa
Friend

April 21, 2008

Happy Birthday Jon! Please keep watch over us and be our
Gaurdian Angel.

friend

April 9, 2008

Happy Birthday Jon :)

I miss you and think about you everyday and know you're watching over all of your family and friends :)

wish you were here today, instead of having to leave a birthday wish here....everyone misses you so much.

Tiffany Tapella

April 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Jon!

April 7, 2008

Happy Birthday, Jon. I can't believe the years have passed, it still seems like yesterday. Your 31st birthday today...hope you are having a big celebration in Heaven. Time has passed, but you memory is always alive.

April 7, 2008

Happy Birthday Jon! Not a day goes by without thinking of you.

Uncle Billy

Ofc. Billy Walsh Ret.
Worth PD. Uncle

April 6, 2008

i've thought about you alot this week. Another of my friends was killed in a car accident..very reminiscent of yours. She was 27 also, such a young age to leave....the news of here brought back some rough memories.

I miss you everyday, we all do. I can only hope that you can watch out for my friend in heaven and help her and her family. Her poor mother was in the car behind her...i don't know how she'll ever heal and recover from this...please help their family through this rough time, and continue to watch over us all.

i love you and miss you!

-Tiff :)

Tiffany Tapella

February 20, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 7, 2008

Happy New Year! I am keeping you in my thoughts.

friend

January 1, 2008

Thinking of you and missing you around the Holidays. Please continue to watch over the Men and Women of the Joliet police department.

Dispatcher
Joliet Police

December 28, 2007

Thinking of you this Christmas and Always. Keep watching over our Men and Women. We miss you and Love you!

Dispatcher
Joliet Police

December 27, 2007

Merry Christmas Jon.

friend
friend

December 24, 2007

RIP buddy, keep watching our backs out there

Friend
JPD Officer

December 9, 2007

I am writing because I just learned about Jonathan's memorial yesterday. I recently had dreams about Jon and was wondering why I was dreaming about him since I have not been in contact with him for several years. Therefore, I thought about looking him up in the Joliet Police Department to see how he was doing and found out the terrible news. I send my deepest sympathy to his family and will continue to pray for Jon. He will be missed by many.

Elizabeth Dabrowski Komperda
friend

November 27, 2007

I am reminded again this Thanksgiving that I am thankful Jon spent 27 years here as my brother. I sure miss him.

Love,
Lisa K.

Lisa Kralik
Sister

November 25, 2007

It really doesn't seem like it had been 3 years. I still miss you today as much as I did then. I would have left you this message on the anniversary, but I made it home to visit your grave instead the next day! Hope you're smiling down on everyone! It's amazing how much has changed since you were here!

Tiffany

October 11, 2007

Three years...the time goes by and I still have an ache in my heart. I miss you Jon.

Lisa

Lisa Kralik
Sister

August 23, 2007

Has it really been 3 years? It seems like yesterday that I was talking to you at McBrody's. I wish I could have a drink in your honor tonight, but know your always in my thoughts. I miss you.

Nichole
friend

August 20, 2007