Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

John-I have not been on this site for quite sometime. I can still remember the news of your death. As I approach 22 yrs of Law Enforcement I still keep a special place in my heart for those brothers and sisters that paid the ultimate for the rest of us. Know you will never be forgotten. I rotate wearing memorial bracelets and one is yours. I feel as if I have a silent partner on partol with me looking down from the sky. Thanks Brother in Blue and May God Bless you and your family. (P.S. I did change departments after 21yrs)

Patrolman D. Kirk
Bull Valley (IL) PD

December 6, 2011

25 years seems like a lifetime Pal. What a pleasure to hear from so many of your friends with their stories about you and how much they admired and miss your friendship.
RIP My Son !!! Miss you so much. Dad

A Pals Dad
Father

November 14, 2011

24 years ago God took you home. Although we all miss you, I know you are watching out for all of us everyday! I miss your humor! Love, Your Little Cousin Davey!

Dave Price
Cousin

November 20, 2010

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 24th 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 murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you.
Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater

November 10, 2010

Twenty Four long years Pal. Love ya every minute of every day since France.
Rest in Peace Pal. Watch over me and Surs family. You are our Guardian Angel now. Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

November 10, 2010

John worked as a dispatcher for the Park Ridge Police Department. He was extremely bright and well motivated. He was always cheerful and eager to be helpful. He will always be in my prayers.

1st lty rick benson
park ridge police retired

June 7, 2010

Mr. Kugelman, thank you for initiating Chicago's "Cop Shot Program" which will offer a $10,000 reward to those who provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction of anyone who shoots at a Chicago Police Officer. Your son will remain in our prayers.

CPD DET
Chicago Police Department

February 4, 2010

You were a couple years older and I looked up to you! You showed me the way to succeed! I will never forget the time you let me borrow your Trans Am (while I was still in High School) to be the big guy on campus! I too remember the racoons and the Duck hunts (lol). You believed in what you did and you willingly laid down your life! Now I have retired from one agency and I am workng for another. Missing you ole friend. We would have continued to have fun together!

Captain Michael Loesch -Retired
Friend - Rolling Meadows Fire Department

January 26, 2010

I am getting closer to retirement so I think back a bit more. I worked with John in Park Ridge, prior to our ISP days. John and I used to collect all th eracoons from the animal control calls over the weekend and we would put them in the back of John's truck and bring them out to the woods somewhere and release them. We may have brought a young one into a popular bar in Edison Park, tied a helium baloon around it's waist and had him walking up and down the bar. We may have been asked to leave. But, that could be a dream. God Bless you and your family left here to think about you. You are the first hero I've ever really worked with.

Lt. Joe Micci
Illinois State Police

January 23, 2010

23 years ago today this Dad lost a real Pal and son. Love ya Pal. Miss you every day. Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

November 10, 2009

To anyone interested; Mr. David Melind, Johns Murderer, is living in Franklin Park, Illinois and works at Genesis Co. in Roselle, Illinois.
16 years in the joint for being a 'cop-killer' doesn't seem like justice in my way of thinking. A life of misery would be more like it. But I'm just the Dad that lost his Pal.

Bill Kugelman
Father

August 15, 2009

50 years ago today you became my Pal; Son; Friend.
RIP with your creator My Pal. Love Ya.
Always and Ever, Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

June 28, 2009

Thanks for the memory......And the blood from that deer was all over the driveway the next morning when his Grandfather woke me and feared something felonious happened until we looked in the tree and saw it hanging for the neighbors to see. What a kid. Again; Thanks for the pleasant memory and stay safe.
PS; Yes it was delicious...........

Bill Kugelman
Dad

May 15, 2009

John,
I was once again at the Illinois Police Memorial service in Springfield May 7, 2009. I go every year to honor all the fallen officers. I told stories about you the night before at the FOP party. I worked with you on I-290 while in D-02. I laugh everytime I think of you dragging that deer up the hill and calling me to assist you. When I arrived you told me what assistance you needed, help putting the deer in the truck of your sqaud car. The sausage you gave me was excellent. I could not believe it. You were a great partner to work with and I will never forget you or your final trip on the Kennedy. RIP my friend.

Captain Dick Kinter
Illinois State Police D-19 Carmi

May 11, 2009

Hey Troop...I was really board...bored... on the midnight shift(U know how this is...) so I took a couple of my guys to this web site. They were very impressed and also very quiet when we started looking into what happens to us 1st responders and HEROS like U that gave it your all. HERO JOHN! NEVER FORGOTTEN!!! GOD Forever Bless U and this Great Nation We serve!!! I never knew U but I feel as if I did. RIP Brother in Blue. God Bless U and UR Family!!!!

Police Officer D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

March 30, 2009

I worked with John at district 2 in Elgin, Il. I worked in dispatch. I loved working with John and think about him all the time. It was a very sad day when we lost him. He will always be missed.

Supervisor Barbara Johnson
Smyrna Police Department

January 13, 2009

Peace is with you son after these 22 years. Miss ya a lot.
Visiting the grave really sucks after all this time but you won't ever be forgotten till we meet again. Love ya My Pal. Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

November 10, 2008

22 years ago you gave your good life to protect others Pal. I'm so proud of your loyalty to your fellow man but miss you so much. God Bless you Pal. You would be so proud of your nephews and niece. Everyone says such good things about them. Love Ya Seymour. Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

November 10, 2008

Happy 49th Birthday Son.....

Bill Kugelman
Dad

June 29, 2008

Looked your name up again this year at the Illinois Police Memorial in Springfield...HERO!

Patrolman D. Kirk #309
Round Lake Heights PD (IL)

May 5, 2008

It is so very nice to read these good things about a great guy--My Son. Chris, Now I know where the fusees went that I kept in my CFD car. Good Luck to you and that young man of yours. Keep in touch. And thanks to all of you. Every EOW anniversary I get an anonymous pkg. that contains some type remembrance so Thanks to whoever it may be...........

Bill Kugelman
Dad

January 22, 2008

I worked with John on I-290 & remember his humor and irreverance as much as his agressive police work. One Sunday,he called in a large pothole to IDOT on Il 53/I-290 and gave very specific directions for the repair crew. When IDOT called back claiming they couldn't find the pothole, John lined the pothole with a bunch of lit flares-It looked like a b-day cake! We went to lunch & when we got back, an IDOT crew was patching the hole. I have great memories of you, John! Rest in Peace. Bill- keep the faith!

Christine Casey /Retired
Illinois State Police

January 17, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sergeant
Connecticut State Police

January 17, 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 7, 2008

Hi Pal [Seymour]; It's been 21 years now and it sure doesn't get any smoother. God Bless ya Son and say a few prayers for me and your family. You wouldn't believe who took Reds place now. Love, always and ever, Dad

Bill Kugelman
Dad

November 10, 2007