Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Hardy,
On today, the 40th 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.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 20, 2023

I was there that day in Gillette and it will forever be etched in my memory because of the extreme conditions we all faced on top of the gunman's ambition to kill.... I truly am sorry for the loss of Jon and I can only imagine the hurt his family endured on that day and every other day after... there is another officer who laid out there in the 30 below weather that we must also recognize... he too had been shot in the ambush but we did get to him in time to save his life... Del Wright laid out there for hours in subzero weather with a bullet wound and desperately clung to life while shots continued for some time... all the while he could only watch his partner laying out in the open beyond his reach... both the men showed what it means to be a Police Officer and the every day risk they took.... Thanks to both of them and their families....

Detective Sergeant Steve Rozier GPD reti
Gillette Police Department

May 16, 2020

Rest in peace Patrolman Hardy.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 15, 2019

I wish I would have found this site many years ago I just want to thank the Gillette Police Officers that were there that day for what you did for Jon I also want to thank the Gillette Police Department for always honoring Jon and for all you did to help his family get though this very hard time below is my correct e-mail

Pam Hardy
Wife

May 17, 2017

I just want to say thank you to all the people who have said such beautiful things about Jon he was the love of my life I will always love and miss him

Pam Hardy
Wife

May 17, 2017

I was thinking about Jon today. I was at the WLEA on the day that this event occurred and myself and Marty Peterson hurried back to assist in anyway possible. Whenever I think about my time on the Gillette PD, I always think of Jon and his friendship. Jon Hardy, your contribution to the City of Gillette will never be forgotten.

Former Patrolman Andrew Allan
Former Patrolman Gillette PD

September 23, 2016

To Penny Hoffman

Dear Ms. Hoffman,
I have just found your post of two years ago to this site, and I want to share with you my recollections.

I would like you to know that your father saved my life that day. He died in front of my house, on the street right by my driveway, where I had driven home just a few minutes earlier. I had seen your father and his patrol car, no doubt investigating the burglary report. Also no doubt, everyone on the street was targeted by the the cowardly murderer, who unknown to anyone at that time, had barricaded himself in my next door neighbor's house and taken her hostage.

Sadly your father was unable to rescue the others who had been murdered earlier that morning, a young mother, who was the best friend of my neighbor, her two children, and her fiance, a Gillette fireman. Sadly too he could not rescue my neighbor who was badly maimed and scarred by the bombs that killed the murderer.

But because of your father's actions, I myself, my neighbors, many of whom I could see through the windows of their homes, and the children in the elementary school one block down the street were safe and survived.

I think of this story frequently, especially when I learn of other shootings, and I always recall how greatful I am for his heroism. I lost my father at a young age too. There is no good reason for a child to grow up fatherless, so I hope at least that you grew up with the proud memory of the courageous sacrifice he made for his community.

I hope this note finds its way to you and finds you well and in the arms of a happy, robust family. I also hope you are able to share with them good stories from the short time you knew your father, as well as those from us who's lives he saved. He is long remembered.

Steven Vealey, Houston, Texas
Former resident of Gillette

October 10, 2015

Thank u all for your kind words and respect for my father i just found this page today i love u all for showing respect for my father u r all amazing thaank u

penny hoffman

June 16, 2013

A week ago I received the Jon Hardy Memorial Award from our Department. I thought it only fitting to pay tribute to the man the award is named after. Even though I did not know you personally, I am serving with officers that did and I have heard many fine stories about you. You will never be forgotten. God bless the fallen and all who are serving.

Detective Dean Welch
Gillette Police Department

December 15, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary of your death. 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 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

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

December 20, 2011

We weren't able to get to you as soon as we wanted. When we had the oppertunity, we rushed to you as fast as we could. I still remember the crunching noise under our boots as we ran across the snow. We picked you up and ran toward the ambulance in the safe zone. I believe there were three of us, carrying you to safty. I watched your face as we ran, you felt so light. My heart bacame very heavy when I did not see any signs of life. The expression on your face was that of peace and calm. I've been an Officer for about 29 years and plan on retirement soon. I'm a better person and Officer because of knowing you and knowing first hand your sacrifice. Jim Q.

Jim Q
Former GPD

January 21, 2011

happy Birthday JOn,

We miss you imensley, we are mostly still together here in the town that holds your grave. The kids are great kids and you would be profoundly proud of them. By now you know that my mom along with your own parents are there with you. It will be great day when we are all together again.I wonder if the man who killed you is there. My cousins knew him and said he was a very nice guy that just went crazy. I guess we have no protection down here from that kinda thing, not for ourselves or the ones who go over the edge. I myself have no animosity toward him but I cant speak for the others.I think it would hurt worse to know he maliciouly and calculatingly knew what he was doing.Its hard not to think about what might have been.At any rate I just wanted you to know and for everyone to know you are still with us. We tell the kids frequently about you and they love to hear it and for me it keeps you alive.Again Happy Birthday my bud.Its not the same here without you I sure miss you......love your brother in law... troy

Anonymous

October 7, 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

February 22, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 11, 2007

Thank you for your sacrifice. May God comfort those who knew and loved you.

Trooper Dawn L Berry
Colorado State Patrol

March 14, 2006

Officer Hardy your work on this Earth as we know it is done. You are in God's Care now. May you rest in peace brother.

SGT. Daryl Brewer
Clarksville Police Dept.....Clarksville, Tennessee

February 22, 2006

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies....

Rest in peace, hero.

December 20, 2004

May God hold you in the palm of his hands

December 20, 2004