Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Jay,
You were a special person - one of integrity, compassion and sincere devotion. Your loss will leave a hole in my heart. For you I had the utmost respect. We will miss you Jay!

Carin

Carin Lehnert Robison

November 18, 2004

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Special Agent Jay Balchunas and the
Wisconsin Department of Justice - DCI...our hearts and prayers are with you all...... Thank you for a job well done Jay... rest in peace as you continue your watch from the heavens......your memory will never be forgotten...

God Bless....Be Safe..... and wear your vests...

Vin, Pook and all of us at beyond-the-blue

Vinman and Pooky -Site Owners
beyond-the-blue

November 16, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Special Agent Balchunas' family and friends, and to the men and women of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Special Agent Balchunas, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

November 15, 2004

Dear Jay,

You will be sadly missed by all of your police and fire brothers, friends, and family. Thank you for all that you have given to the police and fire departments and your unselfish detication to service of the public. You are a true everyday hero.

See you on the roof.

PO/EMT/MPO Chad Stiles
Milwaukee Police Department/New Berlin Fire Department

November 15, 2004

AGENT BALCHUNAS, YOUR SACRIFICE WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. REST EASY BROTHER!!

DEP. PAUL SPERANDEO
JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFFS OFFICE, LA.

November 15, 2004

IT IS WITH A SADDEN HEART WE SEND OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY OF AGENT JAY BALCHUNAS AND THE WISCONSIN DEPT. OF JUSTICE. OUR PRAYERS GO OUT TO EACH OF YOU.
WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AS YOU WERE FOR US IN THE LOSS OF ASST.CHIEF BILL(PUTT)LINDER10/10/04.
MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGHT DURING THE LOSS OF YOU LOVED ONE AND FELLOW OFFICER.
PRAYING FOR YOU.
CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER, POLICE DEPT.
LOUISIANA

CHIEF BILLY CUREINGTON
WISNER POLICE DEPT.

November 14, 2004

Your work was not in vain, sir. Go now and rest easy knowing that you've joined the best department there ever will be! Our prayers our with your family, friends and the WI DOJ.

Trooper
NC State Highway Patrol

November 13, 2004

Thank you for your service. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Rest in peace.

Probation/Parole Agent
Wisconsin

November 13, 2004

We lost one of the good ones. An angel that watched us all down here, now watches from above. From one nice guy to another, I gonna miss you.

EO/EMT Brian Kaminski aka "Gump"
NBFD

November 13, 2004

The entire O'Connell family sends our most sincere love, condolences and prayers for Jay and the Balchunas family.

Our hearts are with you,

Terry, Cindy, Molly, Dan & Meghan O'Connell

November 12, 2004

To Agent Balchunas family and friends our hearts and prayers go out to you.

God Bless you

terry miyares, surviving spouse
Officer Emilio Miyares, Hialeah PD< Fl 11/6/86

November 12, 2004

Rest in peace brother

G Watts
San Francisco Police-TTF

November 12, 2004

In loving memory of Jay Balchunas:
Sometimes my heart is just too heavy to be able to write my condolences. I have done some
research on you and discovered what a wonderful, exceptional human
being you were, very much respected by all who knew you. While we don't get to heaven by our good deeds, but thru faith in Jesus, your life certainly
was about serving sacrificially. One
thing I learned about you was that
you didn't shy away from danger and
that you didn't mind taking risks. In fact, they just seemed to spur you on.
You had a tremendous desire to serve and I know the One who put it
there. You answered your calling &
put your gifts to good use. Your death is just such a tragedy for all those left behind. When I think about
how you started your career at such
a young age and what good choices
you made and the goals you set for
yourself, it is such a sharp contrast
between you and the two who chose
to end your life: A life of productivity
verse wasted lives. They certainly
chose badly. And it has left us with
a huge void and years to mourn your
loss. But from the ashes, you have
given life to others. A local deputy
who died in the line of duty has also
given life to others. What a beautiful
sacrifice that is. A testimony to your
life of giving that will continue on into
the future. Many will be grateful to
you forever and always remember
what a blessing you were to them,
in life and in death. My heartfelt
condolences to your parents, your
brother and to your fiancee Luann,
as well as other family members,
friends, co-workers and all the people who have shed tears for you,
whether they knew you or not. You've done good, Jay. Hopefully, you got to hear those words from Jesus Christ Himself, the Only One whose opinion really matters. May the Lord help all
to heal this canyon of grief that we all
feel on different levels. God bless.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, Washington

November 12, 2004

Jay,

I thank God for giving me the chance to spent time with you. You are a great person and will never be forgotten. May god bless you and your family.

Rest in peace Jay.

Shannon

November 11, 2004

Jay, in the 5 years I have known you I have learned so much. When I started with NBFD I was new to the fire service. You convinced me to go through fire classes and not just be an EMT on the department. I was not sure I could do it, but you stood there by me and supported me until I finished. You helped me whenever I needed help and you were there to help push me when I thought I couldn't go on. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for everything you did for me. I am a better firefighter/EMT for knowing you. The state lost a great agent, the city lost a great firefighter/EMT, but worst of all I lost a dear friend. There is so much more I wish I could say, but you are in a better place now, a place that you dreamed of. You are in a place free from crime and free of fires and sickness, a place you dreamed of. I hope I will see you again when my time comes.

Jay, you ARE gone, but you will NEVER be forgotten. May you rest in peace.

Dan Gorecki
Fellow NBFD Station #1 Member

November 11, 2004

Rest in peace Jay....

Lewis Kortsch
Formally 518 NBFD

Captain Lewis Kortsch
Deer Grove EMS

November 11, 2004

Thank you sir for your selfless service to others. You and your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Police Officer
WCFPD PD

November 11, 2004

My prayers and deepest condolences are with your Department, and especially with the friendsand family of your fallen friend. GOD BLESS this HERO.
Stay strong, stay focused, and make SURE that Agent Balchunas
will not be forgotten.

Invest. Mike Bradford; Ret
Tallahassee Police Dept

November 11, 2004

From the minute I heard the dreadful words of "officer down" come over the radio to the time we hit the coward's house, you and your family were in my thoughts and prayers. Your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all. You will be missed.

PO
Milwaukee Police Department

November 11, 2004

You fought the good fight and now are with the Lord. It's hard on us left behind and we will never forget you and you family.

You were what every officer and Christian should strive to be.

I pray for your family, your fiance Luann and her family.

A Family Friend

November 11, 2004

Jay - Your service to both your community and the citizens of New Berlin as well as to the DOJ-DCI is second to none. You were and remain a true hero and an even better friend.

Though you are gone from us, you are never forgotten. We now have our own angel. And in memory, you will be forever responding to the call with us.

Thank you for all you gave us and for the person you were. You will be deeply missed.

Shelley Vogel - Friend and EMT
New Berlin Fire Dept

November 11, 2004

What a tragic loss. Jay was such a treasured member of our department-- wise beyond his years, extremely humble, selfless, always upbeat. To Jay's family, especially his fiance Luann, my deepest sympathy... although words do so little to dull the pain and sense of loss. Jay, all that had the privilege of serving with you are better because of you. You- and your infectious smile- will truly be missed, but never forgotten. May God's peace be with you, your family and those who knew you.

Former MPO
NBVFD

November 11, 2004

My thoughts and prayers to the family and the department. Fallen but not forgotten.

Bryan Laurie Son of Officer Nathan
Laurie EOW 7-29-04

November 11, 2004

Jay,

You could always be counted on, and were always there. You loved others more than yourself, and loved til the end. Our hearts are at their breaking point knowing you're no longer with us, but find peace knowing that you've gone to a place where there are no guns, no wars, and no hatred.

As evidenced by the tremendous turnout at your funeral, you were a truly magnificent man, important to so many people in so many ways. You left your mark, and made this world a better place. I'll remember you simply as "Jay," a great fire liutenant and a good friend.

See you on the roof...

Matt McGuire
NBFD (Retired)

November 11, 2004

Jay you were my best friend and I will miss you. I will always remember the times we shared together. I promise to watch over Luann for you. Rest in peace brother, some day we will be on the roof together again.

Lt. Brian Wisniewski
New Berlin Fire Dept.

November 11, 2004