Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

To Officer Grant Anthony Jansen, his family and his fellow officers with the St. Charles Police Department:

Our heartfelt thoughts are with you on the anniversary of Officer Jansen’s tragic death and we honor him for his valor and sacrifice to the community. Rest in Peace, Officer Jansen and thank you for your service.

Wives Behind The Badge, Inc
Memebrs and Staff

September 10, 2009

As the day gets closer I can feel my anxiety building. I miss you as much today as I did nearly a year ago. It is like it was just yesterday except that the kids are bigger and we have a new baby who is already 4 months old. I can still see you walking through the door after a days work with Czar jumping all over the place. How you got out of your "monkey suit", chilled on the couch as you ate my cooking. I rarely cook anymore and I struggle to make some of your favorite dishes. The pressure to fill your shoes as a parent is overwhelming. I miss your support with the kids, and I know how much you wanted little Grant Jr. Some days I don't know how I am going to make it through, then other days I feel your presence so strong that it is as if you are carrying through. I sat out at where you lay today for a good long while with baby G, cleaned your marker, and enjoyed the beautiful day. I felt so close to you and could actually envision you talking to me about staying strong, that you will never leave my side, and that you are waiting for me in a place where there is nothing but joy and absolutely no pain. You are my everything and I love you so much.

Annette Jansen
Wife

September 3, 2009

Grant:
I attended a 3 day training class put on by ICE this week in regards to bulk cash smuggling. There were around 100 officers at the training. Most of the officers knew you or heard about your work. No one there could beat your 1.3. All those that knew you ended with the same words, "I sure miss that guy." Your work continues on in all that knew you, and continue to pound the pavement with you in mind.

GRS 091

Sgt. Gary Schwendemann
St. Charles Police/co-worker friend

July 31, 2009

Grant,
We had a Jansen family reunion on the 18 & 19. It was a good time, but sad as well, since you were not there. The reunion was your idea. It was nice to see Annette and the kids again. Baby Grant is getting big.

Do you remember the last time we had a reunion, back in July of 1988? I was 13 at the time. I remember I wanted to show you that I could pass a level on my nintedo game and getting angry that I couldn't do it in front of you. Do you remember the cardinal game we all went to? The bench clearing brawl at the game was cool. I miss you cousin, when you died so did a part of me.

Todd A. Jansen
Cousin

July 27, 2009

Thinking of you each and everyday, missing you so much. The kids are beautiful and I see you in each of them, but our lives suffer such a huge void still without you in it. You have my eternal love.

Annie
Wife

July 16, 2009

Hey there, I haven't written in awhile. Got back from D.C. a couple of weeks ago. My heart still races when I think of you not here with us. June is here already and father's day is upon us. I will not forget last fathers day when we were over at Dad and Helen's house and you were laughing and smiling on the patio loveseat outside the kitchen. You were talking about your day and how nice the weather was watching the kids play in the yard. You would look inside the house to see what we were doing and maybe making fun of us as usual. I think back on some of those memories and they were some of the best times we had with you. You seemed so happy with everything. We all talked about what a great visit we had and then left to go home. Our last fathers day with you, if I would have known, if we would have known. My mind is full of the visions of D.C., I can't bring myself to say enough about my time we spent honoring all that we lost in 2008, the stories we heard and the pain we all knew that each one of us felt on so many levels. I could write a novel. Thank you to those the stood beside us as we came to a forever reality of you being gone. Your partners in blue from the S.C.P.D., they are so proud to have known you, honored the man you were, your professionalism and passion for what you loved to do so much. They were so good to us and I know they would have not missed going, they left their families for us to be there to give any help we needed. Annie's best friend played and cared for the kids, what a sacrafic they all made to guide us through those days there. "Thank you to you all", and to those that stayed back to work and cover there time they were gone, "thank you so much" words can't describe how thankful Annie and I are.

The officers that rode the Police Unity Tour in your honor, all I can say is that was "pretty cool" unforgetable moment. "Thank You" to Sgt. Hans Lehman Lakeland, Fl Police Dept and Ret. Det. Lt. Bruce Johantgen Long Branch NJ Police Dept. We love our bracelet and are very proud to wear them and tell the story of Grant and you.

I am still processing in all that I have seen and heard in the past month, it is 4a.m. in the morning couldn't sleep thinking of you and how much I am still so crushed you are not here. We all love you and will be forever changed and will never forget.

Sami

Sam
Sister

June 1, 2009

Grant

I miss you still very much, but I am happy that Annette gave birth to your new son Grant Jr. I hope to see you in Heaven some day.

Todd Jansen
Cousin

May 12, 2009

Grant

I miss you still very much, but I am happy that Annette gave birth to your new son Grant Jr. I hope to see you in Heaven some day.

Todd Jansen
Cousin

May 12, 2009

Sgt. Hans Lehman -

Thank you so much for choosing my husband to ride in honor of. I don't know how else to reach you except by posting a response...I don't have your email. Let me know how you would like me to get in contact with you. Thank you again.

Annette Jansen
Wife

April 13, 2009

Mrs. Jansen,

I am also a rider in the Police Unity Tour and will be riding from Portsouth, VA and arrive in DC on May 12 as well. I have also chosen to ride in honor of Grant and your family. I have young kids as well and can not imagine the tough loss that all of you experienced. I would be honored to provide you or another close family member with a bracelet also. As a member of my department's Honor Guard, this will mean a lot to me as well. If you can contact me via email when you have a free moment, it would be a privilege to talk to you.

Sgt. Hans Lehman
Lakeland, Fl Police Dept

April 2, 2009

Dear Bruce Johantgen -

Thank you so much for your service sir. I will be very honored to accept the bracelet from you. I do plan on being there for the week. I will have my 6 year old son, 4 year old daughter, and 2 week old son there with me also. I was 6 weeks pregnant when I was told of Grant's accident. I worked with Grant as a police dispatcher for the past 14 years, and have since resigned. Although I always knew that there was a possibility of this happening, I truly never thought it would happen to our family. I am extremely humbled by the outpouring of support, and so very grateful that my husband is being recognized for his services. Thank you again. I look forward to meeting you.

Annette Jansen
Wife

March 29, 2009

To the Jansen Family. My name is Bruce Johantgen and I am very sorry for you loss. I am retired from the Long Branch NJ Police Department and currently work at the Monmouth University Police Department. I am a member of the Police Unity Tour. Our motto is "We Ride For Those Who Died" Approximately 550 members will ride bicycles from Newark NJ to Washington DC for the Fallen Officers Memorial on May 12, 2009. Each rider either selects or is assigned a fallen officer to ride for. That rider wears a special bracelet with the fallen officers name on it, and at the end of the ride presents the bracelet to the family if present. I am honored and Privileged to have been assigned Officer Jansen as my honoree. I hope to meet you in DC and present you with Grants bracelet. Please feel free to E-mail me with any questions or info. God Bless..and I hope to hear from you.

Ret. Det. Lt. Bruce Johantgen
Long Branch NJ Police Dept.

March 28, 2009

The wicked fleee where no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 28:1

May God be with you and all who mourn you. May he give them the strength to carry on. May he also be with Officer Grants' K-9. I know how special these dogs are to their handlers.

Friend of Off. Kris Fairbanks RIP 9-20-08

K.L.

March 6, 2009

Hey there, wanted to tell you how much we miss you and love you. Spent some of the day with the kids, they are just so great to be with and I can see you in their faces even more today than I ever have. Our birthdays have came and gone and I will never forget how much fun we had when we got together to share our day. You would always call me that night to wish me Happy Birthday and talk about how old we were getting. The last time you called was to wish Steve a HBD and made him laugh for 45 minutes. Annie, Pat and I brought you balloons and roses to represent each one of our families. I wish it was in person. Can't wait to meet baby Grant, he gave us a thumbs up in one of the ultrasound pictures, pretty cool. Annie is trying her hardest to keep up with everything, you would be proud of her, she is amazing. I miss you so much, this hole in my heart seems to get bigger as the days go on. We talk about you everyday and still can't believe you are gone. Please watch over us all and give us the strength to keep going. O'h by the way Happy 43rd Birthday Grant and Happy Valentine's Day. We miss you! Love you, Sami

Sami
Sister

February 15, 2009

My dearest husband...Life is so different without you in it. We will especially feel the void this Tuesday on your Birthday. My heart aches for you everyday, and I know the only reason I get up every morning is because you are there giving me the strength I need to care for our children. I miss you from the depths of my soul, so much so it physically hurts. It is near impossible for me to envision the rest of my life without you, so right now all I can do is look to tomorrow and pray that each day we are granted a little more peace. I hope know now how much you are loved by so many people. You are one of a kind, in every aspect from police officer to friend, to husband, to father. I could never have asked for a better life with you, which is what makes life so hard without you. Here's wishing you a wonderful birthday sweetheart. I love you.

Annette Jansen
Wife

February 1, 2009

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and debts are high, And you want to smile, but have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don't give up, though the pace seems slow; You might succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out; The silver tint of the clouds of doubt; And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so afar; So stick to the fight when your hardest hit; It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!

My brother's wife gave me this poem in a frame for Christmas, it was Grant's peom he carried with the family everytime they moved, she said it was always out in sight for all to see. I remember this poem, somehow I have a slight memory that I myself gave it to him one year for Christmas or a birthday. Thank you Grant for the message, o'h I won't quit, I will keep going somehow some way.

Thank you Annie for choosing me to give this too. lvu Sami

Sister Samantha
P.O. Grant Jansen E.O.W 9-10-08

January 19, 2009

My Love, you are strong and you will do well in life. I love you and my children deeply - today and tomorrow, let each day grow and grow. You keep smiling and never give up when things get you down. So in closing, my love, tonight - tuck my kids in warmly, tell them I love them, hug them for me and give them a big kiss goodnight for daddy! (From 'Black Hawk Down').
For you and all those who have been taken from us in the Line of Duty.

Cindy Ballman
Wife of P.O. Tom Ballman, 282

January 17, 2009

Officer Jansen - Thinking of you and your family this Christmas. Watch over your family and give them strength.

Kathy McEntee, sister of Bill McEntee

December 24, 2008

On Sunday 12/21/08 Grant's beloved K9 Czar passed away. If any drug traffickers snuck into heaven they are screwed now because the dynamic duo has been reunited. Czar was an exceptional K9, I won't say dog when I speak of Czar because he was more than that, he had human qualities. Czar was loyal, hard working, proud, and protective. He wagged his tail up till the end when he saw a uniform, ready to go to work. Maybe Grant needed Czar and called him home. There is most likely a game of fetch in progress.
Thanks Czar for your service.

GRS 091

Sgt. Gary Schwendemann
St. Charles Police

December 24, 2008

Grant, we all miss you so much. The pain in very hard to carry. I love you and I am so proud of the stories I have heard about you. I pray every night that you hear me and ask for you to watch over us. I know we have a journey to go through, but this one will be for the rest of my life. I talk about you all the time to kids. They are pretty amazing and I am a better person because of them being in my life even more than before. What an amazing person you became and I know that I will see you again in heaven. Love you forever, your Sister Sam

Sam
Sister

December 9, 2008

Grant
I still can't believe that you are gone. You were my hero. You were the kind of Police Officer / man that I wanted to be. I will never forget you and I will miss you for the rest of my life. I love you.

Todd Jansen
Cousin

December 1, 2008

I cannot really describe Grant to anyone. You had to experience him. He never thought he was above anyone else. I could talk to him like I was talking to a dear friend...because he was. His sense of humor and delivery of lines were unique. He loved his wife, his kids and his job more than you could imagine. I loved talking with him because his warped sense of humor was so close to my own. He never took anything too seriously.

This horrible tragedy is something that will be with me for the rest of my life. My best friend lost the love of her life and I cannot imagine how hard it is going to be for her.

A lot of lives changed when Grant passed but the world is still a better place because he was in it...even for a short time.

Jana Conoyer
Friend and Co-worker

November 17, 2008

I had the honor and privilege of working with Grant for 13 years. I was Grants' first line supervisor for the last 7 months. I can attest that Grant was a hard charger and loved his job, working highway interdiction with his beloved K9 Czar. Grant had numerous large seizures of drugs and drug money, recently joining the million dollar club with a 1.3 million dollar cash seizure. Grant was really proud of that and I was very happy for him. He did not rest on his laurels, as soon as the paper work was completed he was out looking for the next stop. Grant could talk to anybody. And everybody was treated fairly and given respect regardless of their standing. Grant was a great husband and father, relishing this role above all others. He spoke daily and highly of his wife and kids, and was a very happy family man. I worked his last shift with him and he was happy. We laughed and cut up plenty. Grant had Czar out of the car selling the police department and K9 as usual. He was surrounded by people wanting to see Czar and ask questions. Grant always said that he had the best job in the world. And again, he spoke of his family and how lucky he was to have them in his life. At 0200 we went our separate ways to head home. Only Grant didn't make it home.
Grant you are missed, and will be in our hearts and thoughts forever. Rest easy Brother, and be assured that your family will be watched over and cared for. Thanks for all that YOU taught me. And thanks for the memories.

GRS 091

Sgt. Gary Schwendemann
St. Charles Police Department

November 10, 2008

I come to the ODMP often to remember my late fiancé Dennis. Everytime I come here it breaks my heart to know that yet another officer has fallen and that yet another family has to live their lives without the man they loved. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved Officer Jansen. Know that you are not alone in the "journey" that you walk. Should you ever need anything please don't hesitate to contact me. The Davis Co. Sheriff's Office in Iowa will always know how to reach me. I can also be found on face book. You will be in my thoughts.

From reading the reflections left for Grant, he sounds like he was a great man with a beautiful spirit. Those of you who knew him in life were so blessed to have been able to share in it. I hope that you will all continue to find a way to celebrate and remember Grant's life and the MAN that he was. Remember that Grant's life was about so much more than the way he died. Grant will continue to live on as long as we continue to remember him.

Officer Jansen, thank you for helping to make this world a little safer for us all. YOU will not be forgotten. Please continue to watch over all of us as only you can. If you happen to bump into my late fiancé Dennis up there give him a big hug for me and the kids. It's been almost six years but we still miss him terribly.

Wishing you brighter and better days,


Jocelyne :)

"Forever Remembering 26-3"

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Dennis R. McElderry (EOW: 01/03/03)

November 8, 2008

May God lay his healing hand upon the family of Officer Jansen and may they know he will never be forgotten. Thank you Officer Jansen for your dedicated service to the people of Missouri and the United States.

James Sheppard
Father of Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

October 17, 2008