Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Happy 35th birthday. It's freezing cold here, but I can only imagine that the beautiful sunshine we have is you smiling down on us, letting us know that everything will be okay. Have a good one, Jay. We all love you and miss you terribly.
Love, Linda

January 18, 2005

It's your birthday today. I imagine that the celebration in Heaven is more than any of us can imagine.

January 18, 2005

Hey Jay, we still think of you every day, but we know that you are in a better place now.

Thanks for being there for us, rest in peace our brother.

Your brothers and sisters forever,
WI-DOJ-DCI (Milwaukee Office)

January 12, 2005

I am saddened to hear of your loss Jay. Your smile and kindness will never be forgotten. You were a special person. I am glad to have known you. I know you are an angel watching over us all in heaven.

January 11, 2005

Over two months. I remember your smile, I remember your laugh, I'll always remember you. You will never be forgotten.

January 7, 2005

Rest in peace Jay....You will not be forgoten.

-HEO J Klis
#127 (former member)

Firefighter/paramedic Justin Klis
Mount Pleasant Fire Dept.

December 29, 2004

Merry Christmas, Jay. We love you and miss you. Christmas is just not the same without the fire pager going off...God bless you.

December 25, 2004

CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

Tis Christmas in Heaven
What a beautiful sight!
It's my first one here;
Everything is all right.

The crib is adorned
With the brilliance of stars;
Wise men and women have come
From Venus and Mars.

I've met all our dear ones
Who proceeded us here;
The reunion was lovely,
An event full of cheer.

And tonight we'll all gather,
In reverence we'll kneel,
For the Babe in the cradle
Up in Heaven is REAL.

I think of my family
That I left behind,
And I pray that your Christmas
Is as blessed as mine.

Please shed no more tears,
For my soul is at rest;
Just love one another,
Live life to its best.

Yes, it's Christmas in Heaven,
So I've heard them say.
Yes, Christmas in Heaven
Happens every day.

-Wilbert Sconzert

December 21, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

December 8, 2004

what does one say... i knew Jay as my best friend's brother. Loved him and his family.He was so giving and kind, he inspired me, just being "Jay".I am so lucky to have known him and his family. Watch over us Jay! Linda ... i am so sorry! always..jenny z
Jay you are a true hero!

jennifer zeier

December 7, 2004

Gone But Never Forgotton!!!!!

HEO
New Berlin Fire Dept.

November 29, 2004

My Fallen Brother,

Your service will never be forgotten. May God watch over your family and friends.
Rest in peace...

Detective Kevin Angell #2016
Sarasota Co Sheriff's Office Honor Guard

November 28, 2004

To all Family, Friends, and Co Workers:

On Behalf of myself, and the Family of Police Officer Daniel Starks (Ft Myers Fl, E/O/W 10-25-03) we want you to know that you are all in our prayers! The Lord will sustain you as you go through this difficult, and trying time, but just remember your loved one is being cared for in Heaven, and is now eternally safe. We hope that you all remain as strong as possible, and know that we are all thinking of you. No words are quite ever adequate, but Police Officers make the ultimate sacrifice everyday, and our hope, and prayer is that they will always be remembered for their heroic efforts, and kind hearts.
Blessings Always,
Jessica Ruhl (Daniel’s Fiancée) & the Family of Officer Daniel Starks

November 28, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of the La Habra Police Department we send our thoughts and condolences to the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the family of Special Agent Balchunas. Our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Rest in peace Agent Balchunas.

Sergeant Jeff Baylos
La Habra Pd, California

November 25, 2004

Rest in peace brother.

Officer K.A. Lokey
Norfolk Police Department, Virginia

November 24, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis was a Deputy Sheriff with the Davis County Sheriff's Office in southeast Iowa. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Jay did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Jay be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Agent Balchunas family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Jay is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Jay was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Agent Balchunas for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

November 24, 2004

My heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Jay Balchunas. You were taken too soon from this earth. I know all to well the dangers of this job but I also take comfort in that those who do this job would not want it any other way! You are a wonderful hero to all and will always be remembered and honored.

Wife of Deputy/Dispatcher

November 22, 2004

My condolences and prayers go out to Jay's family. I pray that you receive the same support and love that I have received since Brandy died. I hope that Brandy and Jay are together. I think they would have a lot in common, Bran also served as a volunteer firefighter at one time. I hope they are sharing stories in heaven and watching down on all of us.

Sara Winfield
Wife of Brandy Winfield EOW 10-14-04

November 22, 2004

May you rest in peace Agent Balchunas. Your dedication to Law Enforcement will not be forgotten. My deepest regrets to all your family members, co-workers and friends.

Parole Agent/Marsha Perilloux
M.D.O.C.

November 22, 2004

Jay, I will truly miss you. You have been a great friend and mentor. I am glad I had the opportunity to work with you and know you. You have taught me a lot. Thank you for that.

To Luann and the Balchunas family: my deepest and sincere condolences. I know Jay is in a better place. Thank you for letting us spend time with Jay.

Lieutenant Andy Moy
NBPD

November 21, 2004

My sincere condolence to the family & friends of Special Agent Balchunas. He is and will always remain a Hero.

Senior Trooper Keith Miller (Ret)
Oregon State Police

November 21, 2004

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Agent Balchunas for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

November 20, 2004

Our deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Jay Balchunas. You are in our prayers here in Marion, Ohio

Rest In Peace Jay.....

Ryan & Amy Caldwell
Citizen

November 19, 2004

Thank you sir, please know that you did not die in vain. Your dedication to your career and your family has been an inspiration to many. Rest in peace and know you will always be in many of our thoughts and prayers.

My deepest sympathies to your family who are grieving your loss. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Your son, brother, fiancé, friend was a man of integrity and honor. Please reflect on the happy memories and good times during the difficult days to follow. God bless you all...

A Firefighter's Wife

November 18, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for all you did for our saftey.

Shannon
concerned citizen

November 18, 2004