Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Detective William "Wally" Rolniak, Jr.

Riverdale Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Wednesday, February 4, 2004

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Reflections for Detective William "Wally" Rolniak, Jr.

Just heard your story in Jacksonville Florida. You are a true hero sir. Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

John Nobles
Jacksonville Sheriffs Office

June 21, 2024

Det. Rolniak,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Air Force. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

February 4, 2024

20years! Still feels like yesterday. Today we honor you!!! I love and miss you so much !! Love your Moejoe

Wife
Riverdale

February 4, 2024

20 years ago my love for law enforcement, the gold line and the blue line changed forever. Wally's death changed every one of us at RPD. It sealed most of our fates. For me, it was to be the best dispatcher ever and that officer safety was paramount. Then came Tommy. 2 deaths, 2 fathers, 2 husbands, taken way too soon. I vowed that if in my command, there would never be a 3rd. I thank Wally, Tommy and God, that there hasn't been. Yes, I cry. I still think "what if". Rest in peace Wally.

Sherry Wright
Former Riverdale PD

February 4, 2024

Well kid it’s been 20 years still feels like yesterday ! The girls are married we have grand babies ! I miss you so much that words can never describe . The pain is still fresh . I Love you and miss you ! Please keep watching over us . Till we met again love your moejoe

Wife
Wife

February 2, 2024

That night 20 years ago is still the most devastating, heart wrenching of our lives. It’s also the night we knew without doubt that true evil exists in this world. We will miss you forever dear friend . You would be so proud of your 3 girls. We cherish the times and memories we shared and hate that you were cheated of making more, but I know that you have been smiling down on the amazing and beautiful family that you and Mo created. So we’ll raise that brown paper bag to you and remember until we see you again. Friends Forever

John & Mary
Best Friends

February 1, 2024

THIS WAS SOME B.S MAN HE WAS THE COOLEST COP I EVER MET WHEN I HEARD MY BOY WALLY WAS KILLED I WAS MAD RIP WALLY

Ghetto
He arrested me before

July 21, 2023

Hi Uncle Wally,

I will be marrying into your family soon, and I’ll be giving birth to your great niece or nephew around the day of your birthday! I can only hope that you would have approved of me.
I wish I could have known you, but I feel like I do through all of everyone’s memories that I’ve had the pleasure to hear about for the past 7 years. You are talked about constantly. I promise to always take care of your family- your parents, sisters, daughters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren- and to keep your memory alive through the generations to come. I’ll meet you in heaven one day! ❤️

Soon-to-Be Niece in Law

July 13, 2023

Happy heavenly birthday ! Miss you so much ! Love you keep watching over us

Maureen Rolniak
Wife

March 7, 2023

R.I.P Detective William "Wally" Rolniak, Jr.
Riverdale Police Dept is truly not the same without you.
God bless you for your service

Jowan Davis (Private Security)

February 17, 2023

Well I can’t believe it’s going to 19 years without you !!! I miss you so much !!! We will be toasting you on your anniversary . I love and miss you more each day that passes . Remember tomorrow is another day

Maureen Rolniak
Wife

January 31, 2023

Happy new year it’s been a really rough year love you and miss u so much

Wife

January 1, 2023

Thinking about you today Wally. Miss you my friend

Chief Dan Dempsey
Lynwood Police/ Riverdale Police

November 29, 2022

I love you

Maureen rolniak
wife

February 4, 2022

I've been reading a lot of your post and although I've never met you, from the threads, it looks like you were one hell of a copper and devoted family man. It's nice to see that your family (especially your wife) still reach's out to you to update you on what's going on in their lives. When I was new an old copper once told me that in 100 years people won't remember you or talk about you for what kind of car you drove or how big your house was, they will remember you for what kind of family you raised. Again I never met you but I think you and your wife did a great job! Rest In Peace Wally

A fellow copper
St. Louis Police Department

November 1, 2021

I have never had the fortune of meeting you, Detective, but I have heard great tales of you. I hope that you are resting well and just know we have this watch. Your name and memory will live on forever, brother.

Detective D. Lopez
Merrionette Park PD

March 16, 2021

Another Feb 4th - I am working tonite (the 3rd) thru the morning. Seeing the date on the radios and logs never gets any easier. None of this gets any easier. You and Tommy are the reasons I train hard, and I hammer in how important our role as dispatchers are. God bless you both, your families and I will continue to keep you close to my heart and keep you as an important role in my career.

To all my officers now, I got your back and will forever back the blue.

Sherry Wright - Dispatcher
Lake County Indiana 911 - Ex Riverdale Police

February 3, 2021

Thank you for your service

Nick mottola
None

August 21, 2020

Well kid it’s been awhile since I’ve been on here . Been talking to u in other ways . I miss you so much times have been real hard with this lock down ..... I know you have been watching over all of us !!! Love you and miss you !!!

Maureen Rolniak
Wife

April 17, 2020

Lenny Brezak I presume, I grew up in Riverdale

Miss you Wally

ASST Director
SW Division DCIS (Ret)

March 17, 2020

Another year - another Feb 4th - taking day off tomorrow - just can't work at 8pm on that date anymore - too difficult - DD, JD, Lenny, McWaa, Sam, Sinde, Vito, Mo, the girls, all of you - love you all and thinking of you.

You are all in my prayers. I have become the dispatcher I am today because of this incident and I pray everyday it had never happened.

Sherry Wright, 911 Telecommunicator
Lake County Emergency Communications, Ex Riverdale PD

February 3, 2020

Miss ya kid so much! The babies are getting so big. love you

Maureen Rolniak
Riverdale IL

July 22, 2019

Detective Rolniak, rest in peace.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 19, 2019

Hey Wally, I was just reading all the posts to you. I really miss working with you. Thanks for all your help.

Tach ofc. Mike Belliveau
Riverdale

September 4, 2018

Love you miss you with my whole heart.

Maureen Rolniak
Wife

August 26, 2018

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