Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

MP Sergeant Balcombe,

I came upon your memorial page this morning after making an entry into the memorial page of another law enforcement officer who died in the line of duty here stateside. On this 24th anniversary of your death in the line of duty, I read of your passing all those years ago, and that you left behind a husband and two daughters. I see you were a career soldier, serving our country and protecting us and the South Koreans as well. Thank you so much for your service and dedication to duty. Rest in peace. I will pray for your husband and daughters. Rest in peace.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9

Daniel Ryan
Private Investigator (Retired)

August 21, 2023

Rest in Peace, MP Balcombe!

MP Matt Lyons - 1980/83
U.S. Army Military Police - 546th MP Co. Ft. Sill, OK

July 3, 2023

I will always say it loud and proud that YES I knew Jean Balcombe. She was always an exceptional person. Never do I remember anything less than a smile on her face and her witty sense of humor just like her husband Mike. You will be now and forever! Solely Missed. Until we meet again. I know you and Dad are in heaven right now enjoying eternity with our creator right now.
Much Love

Michael Herron
No Such Agency

November 15, 2020

Rest in peace always knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 21, 2020

When I met her, she was SSG Balcombe and had just become my SL. I was going through a rough time: my personal life was a shambles and my military career was in a downward spiral.

But because of the guidance that she provided me, I got back on my feet and persevered. She was taken before I could really thank her for what she did for me.

I will always remember her for that.

Sergeant (R) Joseph R. Ward, Jr.
I was her driver in 4th Plt, 170th MP

May 25, 2020

SFC Balcombe,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

August 21, 2019

I can’t believe it has been twenty years.
Rest easy my friend.

SSG Steven Tyler
Fort McClellan MP Co./ 630th MP Co.

August 21, 2019

20 years!!
I miss you so much

SFC (Ret) M. Balcombe
Husband

August 21, 2019

I had the honour of being stationed with her in Germany and sadden by this tragedy. RIP

SFC Achauer
USAMP

August 21, 2019

Rest In Peace Sister LEO. Thank you Hero and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country. Never forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 21, 2019

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of your death, we will remember your galant service. Rest in Peace, Sister!

Ptlm SP/4 Joseph F. Dolloff, US Army Military Police Veteran.

August 20, 2019

Rest in peace Sergeant Balcombe. A true heroine!

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

July 11, 2019

I thank Sergeant Jeanne M. Balcombe for her true devotion to duty, and to her service to our great nation. May her soul forever rest in peace in Heaven. Sergeant Jeanne M. Balcombe will never ever be forgotten as she was the true definition of a professional law enforcement supervisor. May God bless her family, especially her two daughters.

First Sergeant Thomas M. Webb, Retired.
New York State Police - Troop D

December 14, 2018

Lest We Forget!

Ptl. Bryan Waltz (Ret)
Avon Lake OH PD

August 21, 2018

Rest In Peace Sister LEO. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service to this country.

Officer Mike Robinson, (Ret)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 21, 2018

Dear Balcombe Family and Friends,

There was a kid from my high school that graduated the year before me. He had joined the Army, and went to South Korea for his first duty station. He had grown up like other kids in the Hillsboro region, nothing spectacular. While not really friends, we lived in a small community where most folks got along, and he picked me up one afternoon to memorize lines for our upcoming “Oedipus Rex” reading in our theater class. We went over to Christy’s house, because she was reading as Antigone. Both of them were seniors, and even though I liked Christy more than a little, it seemed the two had more in common, and I think that there may have been secret intensions for the meeting in the first place. That is probably why, after the reading, I sat alone on the living room couch for a while.

I learned of Jeanne’s death in basic training. Yet, I had never met her before. I had learned of her death from a letter from my family. They, too, had never known her. Jacob Bowley, the kid in my theater class with Christy, had been the cause of Jeanne’s death.

Strangely, after a few years in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), I went to Korea, living at Camp Sears in the Uijeongbu enclave. This was not strange for a Soldier because many tend to PCS to Korea after Campbell, but it was strange that, knowing what I learned from that family letter and subsequent news reports about the incident, that I would be so close to the place a person I knew committed an atrocity.

The moment I saw the monument outside of the CRC TMC, my heart sank. While I reiterate that I never knew Jeanne and barely knew Jacob, just visiting the scene nearly three years after the incident did something to me. I ETS’d from Korea and became an MP in the guard. I had Jeanne’s dogtag made for me, and I’ve kept it on me since.

The fight is always going on, and at times you have to accept that you have to trust yourself more than you can others. You have to remember where you come from, where you’ve been, and you have to use these lessons where you are going. The right people at the right time leave us when we least expect it, and they rip our hearts out when they’re gone. But they also leave their essences behind as they go, and, if you are also a right person, that essence ignites something within. And it stays with you.

I am writing about Jeanne as a personal, virtual influence in an upcoming book, and if you have additional memories you’d like to share, I would love to hear about them. I think eventually a biography about Jeanne is something that should be written as well. Please let me know what you think.

Anthony Wynands (former warrant officer)

November 16, 2017

Jeanne, I never processed what happened that night, but I've grieved for you... for Harvey... for your daughters... for almost 20 years now-- I just couldn't do it in public. So many faces, so many places, flash before me as I remember the many Soldiers I've lost. As a leader, I was often reminded that there are two Rules of War: Rule #1 is in war, young men and women die; and Rule #2 is that even the best leader can't change Rule #1. But we were in peace... you weren't supposed to die in peacetime, certainly not at the hands of Jacob Bowley. I miss you... and 20 years has done nothing to change that...

Chad Beasinger, LTC (Ret)

August 7, 2017

Sergeant Balcombe, I was never one of your soldiers but I remember having several conversations with you at the chow hall on Camp Red Cloud. One of your soldiers was a good friend of mine. I remember you being held in high regard by everyone who knew you and by every soldier who worked for you.

You see, I was with him the night before this tragedy. We were only acquainted however we shared a mutual friend. We played pool and talked about the stuff young soldiers talk about.

When I had heard what happened, I was shocked. I learned of your husband and your daughters. I've always wondered if there was anything that I or anyone could have done to prevent this. Did we miss the warning signs and "red flags". I guess we'll never know. I've wondered this for the last 18 years.

Officer S. Thomas
Maine Correctional Center

August 1, 2017

I, along with my squad, responded to CP Red Cloud that day and aided in the search for the suspect. I was shocked to see that it was SFC Balcombe that had been murdered, even more shocked to learn that it was by one of her own. I was told that she stood between him and another soldier, who was the intended victim. I was honored to stand watch over her before Graves Registration took possession.

SFC (RET) Joseph Allgood
Formerly: 4th PLT, 2D Military Police Company

March 27, 2016

I, along with members of my squad, responded to CP Red Cloud from CP Stanley and aided in the search for the suspect. Not a day goes by that I don't think about that day. It was an honor to stand watch over her. RIP.

Lieutenant Joseph Allgood
US Department of Veterans Affairs Police

March 27, 2016

Then-SGT/SSG Balcombe was my squad leader in the 170th MP Company from 1995-1996. She was a very professional and hard charging NCO and leader. She was senselessly taken from us far too early. I have thought of Jeanne (I'll knock out 20 for using her first name) often in the years since. Today is a somber anniversary, so I wanted to say Godspeed to Mike, her daughters, and the rest of her family. SFC Balcombe, you may be gone, but you are not forgotten.

Steve Malbasa
Former SSG, Military Police, Cleveland OH

August 21, 2015

Rest in Peace brave soldier.

Bob Mochinski
Former MP in Frankfurt FRG

April 24, 2015

In later 1998, I had the opportunity to transfer to the 66th MP from 571st, to go to Panama. Then a SSG, Jeanne was my platoon sergeant. I have a memory of Jeannes little girls running to hug her while she was still in formation. She lead by example and though I knew her for a short time left a lasting impression. I had great respect for her. She left Panama early to get ready to go to Korea. She believed in all of us that served under her. She is in my memory as one of the leaders I deeply respected in my short tour as an MP.

PFC Jared Brandon
Former MP

October 5, 2014

Aunt Jeanne,

I never had the privilege of meeting you, but I wish I would have been able to. I love you and the service you dedicated yourself to.. Thank you for your service. I want to let you know that I am nominating you for a memorial in Northern Colorado for all veterans. I was 20 when you left this world. I have a 15yr son that wants to serve in the military and be like his GREAT Aunt Jeanne.. I talk about you all the time in our house. Even though we have not met in this world, I know that we will meet when it is time.. I LOVE YOU and will never forget you..

Carri Hamilton Globensky
Neice

May 24, 2014

I met SSG Balcombe while stationed in Germany with the 630th MP Company. We shared a common bond as I was from Oregon. Even though I didn't work with her as I was sent to an outlying Platoon she always remembered me when I saw her. I was greatly saddened by her sudden death.

Sgt Kirk Cromwell/former MP
Medford Police Department

July 31, 2013