Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Special Agent Jay P. Balchunas

Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin

End of Watch Friday, November 5, 2004

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Reflections for Special Agent Jay P. Balchunas

"The cry of the city like a siren's song
Wailing over the rooftops the whole night long
Saw a shooting star like a diamond in the sky
Must be someone's soul passing by

These are the streets
Where we used to run where your Papa's from
These are the days
Where you become what you become
These are the streets
Where the story's told
The truth unfolds
Darkness settles in

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength
To carry on, carry on

Don't wanna be a hero
Just an everyday man
Trying to do the job the very best he can
But now it's like living on borrowed time
Out on the rim, over the line
Always tempting fate like a game of chance
Never wanna stick around to the very last dance
Sometimes i stumble and take a hard fall
Loose(?) hold your grip off the wall

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength to carry on
Carry on

I thought i saw him walking by the side of the road
Maybe trying to find his way home

He's here but not here
He's gone but not gone
Just hope he knows if I get lost

Shine your light down on me
Lift me up so i can see
Shine your light when you're gone
Give me the strength to carry on
To carry on"

jay you are my inspiration to carry on in my career, still miss you and think about you every day. Keep us safe down here and watch over all of us please.

new berlin friend

June 12, 2005

I was fortunate enough that Jay crossed my path when I was relatively young. Jay was a mentor to me while I grew as a Firefighter. Jay was special to me- I appreciated his candor. His concern prompted me to delve into some personal issues a little deeper. At the time I may have been less than thankful...but looking back I consider Jay to be my guardian angel. Jay you have affected my life in a very progressive way- more than you know. Someday when we are both in God's Kingdom...I will personally thank you. I miss you.

Jason L.
NBFD (former member)

May 27, 2005

Dear Jay,
I was honored to stand at your name the night of the candlelight vigil with your precious Lu. Hearing Josh's name and your name read off was extremely emotional and painful. But, in the midst of all the pain, there was a great comfort knowing you are both with our Lord.

I heard a lot about you during police week from people who love you very much. You touched so many lives and have left an incredible legacy. You will never be forgotten.

I'm praying for Luann (my dear friend) and for your family.

Kelly

May 19, 2005

Time will never heal the wounds that were left when you left us. Nothing will ever take the pain away, because you will never be forgotten. You now continue to watch over and protect us as you did when you were here. Each day I put on that uniform, I think of you and all that you did. Please watch over me and keep me safe.
Linda, you are so special to me! We have been through so much together, I'm sorry this event was one of those things. I admire the strentgh you have shown and continue to show. He was a wonderful person and although I would've liked things to be different, he touch my life in a way that no other will ever be able to do. I started out my career with this event, it is something that I will take with me everytime I put on the uniform, but it is a reminder to stay safe and come home! Thank you for being my friend and know that I love you dearly. Good luck with everything in D.C. I will be thinking of your family this whole week.
(I cried enough for the both of us when I wrote this....so you better have a smile on your face right about now, if not, call me I'm sure I could change that:)
....you ever need me, you know where I'm at!!!)

Deputy
Dane County

May 8, 2005

It was 6 months ago today that we received that dreaded phone call in the middle of the night. Two days ago we accepted another award for you - this one came from the MU Criminology Dept.and you were nominated by Dr. Zevitz (big surprise!) Here is a quote from Ralph Wlado Emerson used in the acceptance speech.

"To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give one's self;
To leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, or garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know even one life has breathed easier becuase you have lived.
This is to have suceeded."

Jay, you were a huge success. We love you and miss you.

April 29, 2005

You left us five months ago today and I miss you more with each passing day. You always have been a special light in my life and I love you dearly.

April 5, 2005

Jay--
I think about you everyday. I'll always treasure the memories of the times we shared, especially those of when we started with DCI. I am, and always be, proud to say that you were my friend. Rest in Peace my Brother, and know that you touched the lives of so many more than you could have imagined.

March 29, 2005

Happy Easter, Jay. We will spare you this year, but next Easter Peter Rabbit is coming to dance for you!

Love, Linda

March 27, 2005

HAPPY EASTER JAY

March 27, 2005

Dear Jay,
I did not have the honor of knowing you when you lived on this earth, but I'm glad to know that I will have the priviledge of meeting you in heaven. I am happy to have met your sweet Luann, and to hear about all the wonderful memories you shared together. I have heard and read so much about your life. You were such a strong and courageous man....a true hero, like so many other fallen officers. My heart breaks for Luann, your family, and all of your friends. I am so sorry for their loss.

Luann,
You are such a strong woman. I have battled a long, almost 11 months, without Josh....I understand your pain. I have found much comfort in your friendship and comfort in knowing that Jay and Josh are resting with Jesus. There is no greater peace than knowing they are with our Heavenly Father. I know they have become good friends with each other and other fallen officers. They are probably comparing cop stories, and waiting on us to arrive. :0) But, most of all---the greatest joy---they are praising the Almighty God. That gives me goose bumps. Rest in the arms of Jesus, Luann. Find your strength in our Lord, and in the love you and Jay shared. You will be able to climb every mountain and walk through every valley. I'm praying for you and I'm sending you BIG HUGS.

Love & prayers,
Kelly

Kelly Gillain
Sig. Other to Deputy Sheriff Joshua Blyler

March 25, 2005

Dearest Jay,
I'm thinking about you and Luann today and about how unjust life sometimes is and I'm still wondering the ultimate question of "why". Someday I hope we all know that answer.
Today would be your anniversary, 4 years! I remember how excited Luann was to have met you. You were the best thing that ever happened to each other!
I'm grateful you loved each other for 3 plus years and will continue to do so forever.
God Bless you Jay. May you rest in eternal peace. I think of you everyday.

Sue

March 10, 2005

I'm thinking of you, what you represented, how you lived your life. You were a special person. A man of honor.
You should know that you continue to change lives in Heaven. From above you have changed mine.

March 7, 2005

1 corintians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends

Agent Balchunas, thank you for your service and dedication. You will be missed and never forgotten. May your family, fiancee, and everyone who loves you stay strong in the memories and love you shared with them.

I lost my fiancée, Scott Stewart, in August of 2002. There not a day that goes by without him in my heart and mind. I understand the pain your fiancee must feel from being ripped from you to soon. The support and love from others who know my pain have helped tremendously.

Luann, if you ever feel the need to reach out to others who know your pain, please contact me and other s/o’s. A search on yah groups will bring you to us. Just enter the below as it is.

Always remember as long as your heart beats Jay will be with you. He’s there everyday in your heart.

Hugs,
Monica
Fiancee Scott Stewart EOW 8-11-02 Detroit

OfficerDownSignificantOthers

February 16, 2005

Rest in Peace, Brother. Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Know that you and all of those you left behind remain iin our prayers. Watch over your family and keep them from harm. Give them strength to forge ahead in your absence, until they are called to join you in Paradise.

Godspeed!

A Squad
Woodbridge PD CT

February 14, 2005

Happy Valentines Day Jay,
You are dearly loved and missed by many.
May the hearts of your loved ones be softened, knowing that you are so loved.

February 14, 2005

You were laid to rest 3 months ago today...why? Why did this senseless tragedy have to happen? You are missed by so many people. I bet you never even realized how many lives you affected and how many people are better for having known you.

February 10, 2005

I'm writing so you know how deeply you are loved and continue to be thought of. Yet, it is clear by this website, how much you are loved by everyone who knew you.

I know your Fiancee, Luann. Although she appears stong for others, I've seen her tears. They still flow down for you in rivers. Her heart is broken, that you are no longer here. She doesn't understand why you were taken from her, when you finally found each other, yet she feels some peace; for you are no longer suffering, but praising God on the Holy Streets of Heaven. Oh, she loves you Jay, she knows you were soul mates, meant for a lifetime of love, and that is where she goes to find you - her soul and her heart. I know you go there to meet her. I know you will always be in her heart, you will remain there forever.

May God bless you and give you the most holiest of peace as you have given your life in the greatest sacrifice, you lived a life of service and honor. Jay you are a true hero.

I will think of you every day and pray for Luann, your families, your friends, partners and all those that continue to love you.

A Friend

February 8, 2005

Jay - although it has been three months since you were senselessly taken from us, please know that you are not forgotten. I think about you every day and the ultimate sacrifice you made for others. Even though I did not get the privilege to know you as well as others did, please know that the time I did get to spend with you had a huge impact on me and will forever. I will always remember how you took time out of your busy schedule to give me a tour of the DOJ offices when I was an intern working with Luann, and how you came to my farewell lunch. It meant a lot to me that you gave up your time to pass on your knowledge for and love of law enforcement to someone like me who was just starting out. I always enjoyed listening to stories about you from Luann, whether it be what you were doing at work, to how your home improvement projects were going. Also, thank you so much for being so good to Luann - it is nice to know that she was loved by someone of your caliber, even if you were taken from her too soon. The only sense I can seem to make out of any of this is that God must have needed an angel, and if that's true, he got the best one out there. Please continue to watch over us, and know that we think about you and miss you every day. Thank you for being such an amazing person and giving so much of yourself, and may God continue to bless you and those you left behind.

Jaime

Jaime
P&P Agent and friend of Jay's fiancee

February 7, 2005

You left us three months ago today. Your goodness and love for others continue to make a difference in this world. You are truly an inspiration to all of us. May you know the peace that surpasses all understanding. We miss you and love you dearly.

February 5, 2005

Three months ago today, Jay...seems like only yesterday that you were here with us, yet it seems like a lifetime ago that you left us for greater things. Keep all your brothers and sisters safe. God bless you.

February 5, 2005

It is so heart-wrenching to look through all the pages of such young officers with bright futures being taken so soon. Unfortunately, I have a very good idea of what this officer's family, friends, and fiancee are dealing with on a daily basis. My fiancee was killed carrying out his life dream, almost two years ago now. There are no words to ease the pain or clear up the confusion and questions. Just know that you are very much loved and supported by a huge family of survivors. While I may not know exactly everything you feel, I probably understand most of it. I pray this day that the Lord would bring you strength to find the sunshine again and peace to know that Jay is watching over you and patrolling the streets of Heaven. Please don't hesitate to get in contact with me should you need anything at all. Jay, perhaps I will get the honor of meeting your fiancee at Police Week '05. Say hello to my fiancee, Cole!

Jessi Garger
Fiancee of P.O. Cole Martin E.O.W. 4/25/03

January 30, 2005

You were shot three months ago today. Yet, it still feels like yesterday. I miss you. You are not forgotten, for I will never forget you.

January 29, 2005

I miss you Buddy. You are in my thoughts every day.

January 28, 2005

"I have a simple definition of a hero. The word describes a man or woman who knows that they could be harmed or killed if they engage some dangerous circumstances, and yet they do so to take care of someone they do not even know."
~Lawrence N. Blum

This seems to describe you to a tee, Jay. Rest in peace and know that you will never be forgotten.

January 27, 2005

Happy Birthday Jay. We think about you often and pray for your loved ones.

January 18, 2005

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