Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

It was 50 years ago this very evening as I sit composing my thoughts to write this reflection. My memories are scarce but vivid. I was barely five years old when the news came to our family that J.R. had fallen in the line of duty.

I remember being very confused. I was seeing my beloved uncle’s picture on the Chicago evening television news, but I didn’t understand the words that the newscaster was saying. I felt certain that my uncle had achieved celebrity status—certainly a hero because his photograph was being shown on television! Yet, I couldn’t reconcile my excitement with the tears that my mother and grandmother were shedding, there, that fateful evening, in our living room. It would take many years for me to fully understand the gaping hole that had been blown in our small family that night, the horrible pain and loss that had been inflicted.

My mother, J.R.’s sister, recently passed away. To her dying day she spoke often of how a young girl’s greatest gift is having a big brother. She spoke of how J.R. was her hero, and of how much she missed him. She spoke of how unfair it was that he had been taken from us, from his wife, and from his children, at such a young age.

Fifty years is a long time, but my brother and I pledge to never forget. Tonight, we light a candle for our uncle, our mother’s brother, our grandmother’s son, our community’s fallen hero. With time we can learn to forgive, but may we never forget.

Jeff and Greg Lanter
Nephews

October 5, 2024

Patrolman Boyce,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Gary. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

October 5, 2024

It's now forty nine years since you went to heaven. You are not forgotten Jr. I remember well our talks on day and during our part time jobs. The years pass but not the memories. You did well officer enforcing justice tell the end. God bless.p

Lt wally derose ret
Gary indiana pd ret.

October 27, 2023

Rest in peace Patrolman Boyce.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

February 28, 2020

My dad was your partner, a friend, and colleague. He spoke highly of you to me after your EOW, and I remember visiting your home as a kid and playing with your son and your daughter while my mom would chat with Boots. My dad and I reflected on what happened when you were taken from your friends, family, and community and why the rest of us have to carry on with protecting society, so that others may sleep soundly at night. His thoughts on your strength of character helped guide me as I grew up. Whenever I think of the fellow officers of the Gary Police Department who were lost in the line of duty in my dad's time, or those whom I knew in my career, my thoughts always come back to you and the legacy that you left behind. You will never be forgotten, and always be missed.

William A. Flatt
Indiana DOC

October 14, 2019

NEVER FORGOTTEN!
Cops Cycling for Survivors Organization
www.copscycling4survivors.org

Monica Zahasky
Cops Cycling for Survivors

October 18, 2018

i have had the great honor of meeting your son and he is great man and has carried your name with respect and honor. Thank you for severing our department.

Ofc S Russell
Gary Police Department

October 9, 2015

JR had a mammoth impact on my life. He was a regular at Dan's Sinclair (then Dan's Araco) which became my home and first employer after my dad died in 1969. He was always available for "dad" insights to an unknowing teen castoff like me. He was so influential and always with a great sense of humor. I was pumping gas the terrible night he was killed answering a call. I remember being too afraid to actually enter Lach's Funeral Home but I watched the convoy of unending flashing lights take him on his last patrol of Miller. He is part of my DNA.

Benficiary of his advice
He helped me understand my father's death when I was 15

October 6, 2015

JR worked part time as a security guard at the local Tittle's grocery store.. I was an assistant manager at the store... We were all shocked to hear about his death and his name comes to mind whenever I reflect about my days working at the store... He was a great guy...Miss him.

Lee Mysliwiec,
Tittles assistant manager... acquaintance

September 13, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 6, 2014

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

July 6, 2014

To fully appreciate the heroes of the present, we must recognize our heroes of the past. Your heroism and service is honored today, the 39th anniversary year of your death. I am privileged to leave a tribute to you. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I pray for solace for all those that call you beloved. I am sure you are proud that your son has continued your legacy of protecting and serving.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg (CA) Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

September 18, 2013

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Boyce. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 17, 2013

I talked with J R a short while before he responded to the robbery. He had stopped in a bar owned by Danny McNally on Lake St. in Miller, IN called the "Handle Bar". He was the beat cop in the downtown shopping area and he often would stop in to say "Hi!" to friends he knew that frequented the bar. We were all in a complete state of shock when the news arrived that he was dead. J R was a super guy as well as a credit to the uniform and a stand up guy. He would stop in the bar to see his friends even though I don't think he ever touched alcohol. Always upbeat with nothing but kind words for whomever he talked to. Many of his friends were aware that his father, a Gary, IN police officer, was also killed in the line of duty responding to a domestic dispute. I think of J R on many occasions and I'm glad I discovered this memorial so I could jot a few words.

May God bless your soul and give you peace.

John "Jack" Martin
Friend

December 6, 2010

You are truly a hero and you will never be forgotten. Thank you for your courage, dedication and service. May you rest in peace surrounded by angels.

Susan (Knapp) Larson

July 12, 2010

As my career's end is coming closer, I decided to check and find those who had lost their lives during the year that I was hired. While it's been many years since your passing, I'm sure those you left behind and those whom with you served with distinction have kept you alive in their memories. Thank you for your service and for looking out for us who continue in our chosen profession. Rest in peace Patrolman Boyce.

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 19, 2008

JR and I worked part time at Tittles in Miller as well as on the GPD together. The day before we spoke about things cops speak about and the following day I was out hunting his killers as part of the team investigating his murder. We did our best bringing them to justice-to bad the courts did not deal the degree of punishment we wanted.

wally derose lt
ret GPD

January 30, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 23, 2007

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service.

This writer is pleased your killer was denied parole in 2006,
I am amazed he was even eligible

Pat Van Den Berghe

October 14, 2007

Dear JR,
It is the eve of your EOW and I wanted to let you know that you would be extremely proud of Boots, Jim, and Renee. They continue to keep your memory alive everyday. I'm sure you know that your son, Jim, has followed in your footsteps, please watch out for him and keep him safe. Your boys in blue do you great honor also, together with your family you will never be forgotten. May you be in the arms of angels and rest in peace.

Natasha
daughter-in-law

October 4, 2007

We salute our Uncle and the legacy of service he left behind.

One of us has only the faintest of memories of him, and the other has no memory at all. Yet his sister's tears bring him home to us at every holiday and gathering.

It is an outrage that an act of such craven stupidity could take from us his bravery and decency. We will address this inequity, albeit meekly, by learning and remembering everything we can.

Jeff and Greg Lanter
Nephews

January 15, 2007

Rest in peace, my brother...you are not forgotten

PJN
Cook County IL Sheriff's

November 4, 2006

To the Boyce Family, It was an honor to meet all of you. I know your fallen hero is proud of each of you. Your hero has not died in vain, please know he will never be forgotten.

Janice Starnes - wife of
Sgt. Dan R. Starnes
Killed In The Line of Duty 7/10/2001
Morgan Co. IN
Killed in the L

Janice Starnes
Friend

November 3, 2006

He was a good man and a good friend. He rushed into battle and tried to protect his home turf. His killer was caught and sentenced to life in prison. I think of JR every day.

Patrolman Rip Siroky
Fellow officer, friend

November 3, 2006

May you rest in peace. Today, the Indiana Parole Board, without debate, unanimously rejected your killer's appeal for parole.

California Peace Officer and native son of Gary IN.

ilija dukic
Pleasanton PD

November 2, 2006