Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Jankovsky,
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 Countryside. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

April 6, 2024

Rest in peace Patrolman Jankovsky.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

April 5, 2020

JOE,
ON THAT FAITHFUL DAY, OH SO MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS WORKING THE 3-11 SHIFT AND HAD JUST GOT OFF WORK AND YOU RELIEVED ME AT ELEVEN . IT WAS VERY CLOSE TO EASTER AND YOU WERE VERY EXCITED BECAUSE YOU HAD PICKED UP EASTER CANDY BASKETS FOR YOUR TWO KIDS. YOU HAD THEM IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR AND YOU HAD TO SHOW THEM TO ME ( YOU WERE SO PROUD OF THEM). THEY WERE VERY BIG BASKETS WITH LOTS & LOTS OF GOODIES. I EXCHANGED INFORMATION WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON DURING THE PREVIOUS SHIFT & I LEFT TO GO HOME. SEVERAL HOURS LATER I GOT THE CALL FROM THE P.D. ABOUT YOUR DEATH. I ONLY KNEW YOU FOR A SHORT TIME BUT, WE WERE A SMALL DEPT. BUT YOUR LOSS WAS IT ALL THE COUNTRYSIDE POLICE DEPT. MEMBERS HARD. YOU WERE AND STILL ARE BELOVED BY ALL THAT KNEW YOU.

PTLM. FRANK BOZZI
RETIRED (2002) COUNTRYSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT

December 31, 2018

Officer Jankovsky's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 9-28-16 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

September 29, 2016

Forty years have passed. I think about you always. That drunk driver that took you from us also killed Mom twenty days later. She died of a broken heart. I often dwell on what all these years could have been like if you were around. I love you man! Rich

Richard Jankovsky
Brother

March 18, 2014

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

Officer 11169

May 1, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 38th 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 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.

I pray for the solace of all those who love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace today. Thanks to your family for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

Rest In Peace.

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

April 7, 2012

Its been 38 yrs since you were taken from our lives but never from our hearts and memories. You are so very Loved & Missed and you will always be my Hero. One day we will all be reunited but until then I know that I have a very special angel watching over me. LOVE YOU DAD!!!

Jackie Jankovsky-Pope
Daughter

April 6, 2012

38 Years ago today you were taken from us, I was only 6 and did not get a chance to know you. I know you are watching over us with Jesus, because we are so blessed. Even though you are not with us on earth you are with us in spirit. One day we will be able to hang together. I LOVE YOU DAD.

Michael Jankovsky
Son

April 6, 2012

I did not get to meet you, but I've been told so many wonderful things about the man that you were. I just wanted to tell you that you have a wonderful son. He is an unbelievable husband and father. He is strong, faithful, loving, hard working and always puts God first. You also have a terrific granddaughter, Hayley. You would be so proud of both of them. I look forward to the day that we can all be reunited as a family.

Kelly Jankovsky
daughter-in-law

November 6, 2011

Hi Joe,

Can't believe it's been 37yrs that I said goodbye to a new friend.
You had been an officer for only 8 months, I'll never forget that night, the events that led up to you leaving this world.

I was working dispatch that night, and remember every detail like it was yesterday. I wish I could forget, but something like that never goes away.

I do think of you and remember what a nice person you were with a nice smile.
Gone for this world but not from our memories.

Sam Samora
Friend from LaGrange PD

July 27, 2011

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 6, 2010

Ptlm. Jankovsky,

The sacrifice you made for the people of Countryside so long ago has not been forgotten. Today I honor you. I will never forget. Rest easy, brother.

Senior Officer J Anthony Sandoval
Kingsville Police Department

April 6, 2009

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 a long time 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 Jankovsky!

Sgt. Robert Mau Sr.
PD Joliet IL

December 16, 2008

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, REST IN PEACE.

N.J. TROOPER
NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE

October 30, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 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

January 1, 2008

Rest in peace, Sir! You are not forgotten.

Police Officer

May 31, 2007

Dad, think about you alot, you are missed but not forgotten.

Mike Jankovsky
Son

August 28, 2006

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

May 19, 2005

Dad you will always be in my thoughts and prayers and you will always be my hero.

Jackie Pope
Daughter

March 15, 2005

Joe will always be in our hearts, this year 2004 a memorial bench was installed at memorial park, located at 55th st. & Plainfield Road. Stop by and honor him along with our war veterans,I know I will every year.

Timothy Swanson Chief of Police
Countryside Police Department

January 4, 2005

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

Patrolman Jankovsky, you are remembered on this date of your death. You will always be remembered.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 6, 2004

We will not let you be forgotten...rest in peace, my brother

Peace Officers Memorial Foundation of Cook County Illinois

September 1, 2003