Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace Kenny. We may have all new dispatchers, but your picture still hangs in dispatch. It reminds us that it is our job to make sure everyone comes home safe.
Never Forgotten.

Brian Weis, Supervisor of Communications
Lansing Police Department

April 10, 2023

Thank you for the ultimate sacrifice Officer Ken Novak!
Never Forgotten!

Karen Kijewski Records Clerk
Lansing Police Department

April 4, 2022

Officer Novak, Rest in Peace. We at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites 2323 172nd street, Lansing , IL, WILL ALWAYS be indebted to your life and your fellow officers in every county, city, state and the whole nation, for putting your lives in harms way, to keep the community safe.
God Bless Men In Blues !

Team holiday Inn express Lansing IL
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND SUITES, LANSING,IL

February 24, 2022

Rest in peace Officer Novak.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

June 8, 2019

Officer Novak"s story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 2-21-17 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

February 21, 2017

i remember the last time i saw you before Christmas and how you commented how proud you were of me for getting my life together. You saved me quite a bit when you were a paramedic and you never once judged me. You made the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and you are never forgotten. RIP Kenny.

Jim Fitzgerald
Friend

June 16, 2013

Rest in peace Butchie. Never forgotten.

Lt. Ross Fuller
Metra Transit Police

April 8, 2013

Ken, It's been 21 years and you have never been forgotten. We think about you daily, and will continue. RIP Brother, like we said that tragic day " Your tour has ended and we will take over the watch" .

Brad R. Borys Detective (retired)
Lansing IL PD

April 8, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Novak. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 29, 2013

Thinking about you Brother! God Bless you and your family.

Senior Federal Air Marshal J.P. Roe
U.S. Federal Air Marshal Service-Chicago

April 20, 2012

Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr. was killed almost 20 years ago…
I met “Butchie” when I went to family parties with my wife and other family members. I will always wish that I had gotten to know him better. Sometimes we are so busy or too preoccupied to take the time to find out about people. As it turns out we had a lot in common, although I could not fully comprehend it at the time. Both Butchie and I were paramedics, police officers, and probably more. We spoke about these things at a Christmas party, before he was killed. It would have been nice to talk about the job with him later on in his career, but we never got the chance.
A few years ago I spoke to Former Lansing Chief Dan McDevitt about his officer’s death. Dan was surprised to hear that I was related by marriage to Butchie. He told me about the plaque in the Lansing Police Station. I told him that I already had taken a picture of it, and had it at home.
I had the chance to thank the Judge who convicted the accomplice in the cowardly act, Judge Edwin Gosselin. I told the Judge, even some justice is a small comfort to Butchie’s loved ones.
As long as Butchie’s memory is still in the hearts and minds of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him, his life continues on through these people. Everyone in “our” line of work should forever remember these horrible and tragic events, and try to prevent them from happening in the future.
Rest in Peace Officer Kenneth Novak, Jr. – Sleep peacefully, “Brother in Blue”.

Lieutenant Ross Fuller
Metra Transit Police Department

March 31, 2012

20 yrs, yesterday its all the same to me

Tony Perovich L.P.D. RET.
Lansing P.D>

March 27, 2012

I cant believe it has been 20 years since Kenny was murdered. I remember the incident like it was yesterday. I will never forget his professionalism and selfless dedication. But more than that, I will never forget a soft spoken, laid back young man who never had a cross word to say about anyone. Kenny still is a true inspriation... R.I.P. my friend....

Sgt. George Zorzi
Lansing P.D. (ret.)

March 5, 2012

Ken and family, we still remember and honor your service and dedication to the citizens of Lansing. Rest in peace brother, and God Bless your family.

Federal Air Marshal JP Roe
United States Department of Homeland Security

April 8, 2011

19 years ago. Wow. Just like it was yesterday. Kenny, not a day goes by that I don't think about that night. Sometimes it hurts, more often than not it keeps me grounded. Loosing you was a blow to not only your family and friends, but the Village, and to the world. But, if anything good can come from this, it could be that we're more vigilant, less complacent, and more aware of "what if..."
I miss ya, brother. You taught me alot; in life and death.
Rest peacefully, 612. We got it from here.

TCO Tim Hudson
Oak Lawn Emerg. Comm./Former Lansing, IL PO

April 7, 2011

Kenny, I had the pleasure of working many paramedic calls with you and even though I am a “hose jockey” and you were a “bullet boy” we got along very well. I have great respect for you and the sacrifice you made. I have two daughters ages 9 and 11. In today’s world where sports figures and rock stars are considered heroes by many people, I have taken my daughters to the spot where the marker with “612” stands. I told them about you because I want them to know what a REAL hero is. Rest in peace, you won’t be forgotten.

Jerry Kuipers
Firefighter / Paramedic

June 13, 2010

Kenny, Thank you for your bravery, compassion, and dedication to your job and comunity. You have been missed every day for 18 years by your fellow officers and their families, past and present.

Dawn Costello-Gertonson
Family friend

April 8, 2010

Thinking of you Kenny on the 18th anniversary of your murder. Your body may have been taken from us, but your spirit will live on forever. I'm sure that you have one heck of a band and softball team going in heaven. We all miss you!!!!!!!!!!

Cmdr. Pete Grutzius
Lansing Police Department

April 8, 2010

Kenny, it was 18 years ago today that you made the ultimate sacrifice. We can remember that day like it was yesterday. Heaven is a brighter place because you are there, but we sure miss you. Please keep watching over us. We love and miss you Kenny.

Officer Kenneth Richard Novak Jr. - April 8, 1992

Anonymous

April 8, 2010

kenny,,this town will never forget you, nor will anyone who ever knew you.you were one of the kindess people i have ever known. rip

DIANE COSTELLO

April 8, 2010

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

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

April 8, 2010

Kenny it is coming up on 18 years since you made the ultimate sacrifice for our village. Bud & I will never forget you, our friend and comrade. I've made arrangements for our village to be remined of your bravery at our Village Board meeting on April 6th. Miss you!

Patty Eidam, Lansing Village Clerk
friend

March 27, 2010

Wow, you would've been 45 today. I often wonder what life would be like if you were still here...would you have been married, had kids? I know you would've been a great uncle to my kids...teasing Ashley, (and she'd tease you right back!), and sharing Brett's love of trains! I think about you often, and miss you. Happy Birthday Butch.

Kathy Novak Faucault
Sister

January 17, 2010

Kenny: Hard to believe it has been over 17 years since you were taken from us. I think about you often and truly appreciated the way you always ‘dug’ to protect us when you were working dispatch. It was an honor to work with you. Rest in peace my friend.

Paul Warn D.C. (Ret.)
Lansing P.D.

September 8, 2009

Hello, Kenny. You worked with my sister. You are and will always be a hero for your selfless actions. I remember well the day your life was taken, and I swear to you and your family that I will never, ever forget.

Edward

April 28, 2009