We lost a good one today

[pointblanke]

http://jsonline.com/news/metro/nov04/272798.asp :(

[PEACE]

Just brought it over so if the link gets cancelled, we can still remember him.

God speed ...

**************

An undercover Wisconsin drug agent died Friday, a week after he was shot in an apparent random robbery, becoming the first Department of Justice officer ever killed on duty, the attorney general said.

Wisconsin Special Agent John "Jay" Balchunas, 34, of New Berlin was shot in the abdomen Oct. 29 at a Milwaukee gas station and was in critical condition for the past week at Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Milwaukee police have no suspects in custody, and there is a $20,000 reward for information.

Co-workers and friends remembered Balchunas as a law enforcement officer who never had a bad day, never was "off duty" and never stopped caring. In addition to being a narcotics agent, he was a part-time lieutenant in the New Berlin Fire Department.

Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager said Balchunas had boundless energy and an unwavering positive outlook.

"Everybody knew Jay," she said. "He was an extraordinary cop. There are very few young people in law enforcement who have his sense of commitment and of right and wrong. We lost a good one."

Balchunas was on duty when, just after midnight, he stopped for coffee at a station in the 3700 block of W. Villard Ave. Officials have declined to talk about the undercover operation Balchunas was working on but said there is no evidence the shooting was related to it.

Balchunas' family is donating his organs. The family declined comment, law enforcement officials said.

"I believe that is the final illustration of what an unselfish individual he was," said New Berlin Fire Chief Edward Dobernig.

One of three children, Balchunas was born in Evergreen Park, Ill., grew up in New Berlin and attended Holy Apostles Grade School. He first joined the Fire Department as an 11-year-old Explorer Scout, Dobernig said. In 1988, he became a member of the department.

Balchunas attended Marquette High School and Marquette University, graduating with a degree in criminology. He was a safety officer at Marquette.

In 1992, Balchunas joined the Milwaukee Police Department, working there until 1999, when he joined the state's Narcotics Bureau in Milwaukee.

Balchunas was part of the federal High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, an umbrella program that pulls together several agencies to fight drugs. The slain agent was selfless, key to the agency's success.

"He worked very well in concert with others," said Erick Slamka, program director. "He was just a neat kid, a pleasure to have around, a person you would use as a model."

Balchunas sometimes would get calls late at night at home from detectives on investigations, Lautenschlager said. No matter the time, he never hesitated to call for the information they needed, she said.

Balchunas was engaged to be married. He is survived by his parents, brother and sister.

A visitation is set for 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 W. National Ave., New Berlin. A funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Congregation, 9540 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners.

Police seeking tips
Police said Balchunas, who was in plain clothes and driving an unmarked state car, stopped at the gas station and was walking back to the car when he was confronted by two people. One person said it was a robbery and shot Balchunas seconds later. There was no indication that the agent resisted or went for his concealed gun, police said. Nothing was stolen, police said.

Balchunas briefly talked to officers before he went to the hospital.

Reward being offered
Police are seeking tips. The FBI and Dean Foods each offered $10,000 for information leading to arrest and criminal charges. Beginning with this case, Dean will offer $10,000 rewards for tips in "horrific" cases in the Milwaukee area.

Police are seeking two people in the gas station at the time of the shooting who were stealing, unrelated to the robbery. They also are looking for a black Ford Explorer with damage to the gas tank cover. It pulled away with the gas pump still in the tank.

"Somebody out there knows what happened," said Milwaukee Deputy Chief Brian O'Keefe. "Even if (the tip) doesn't seem important to them, it could be extremely important to us."

Anyone with information is asked to call Milwaukee police, (414) 935-7302

[jcglaw008]

Prays to him and the family!

[pointblanke]

There is a little bit of good news to report: Milwaukee PD has two suspects in custody. Also, Dean Foods has put up a 10,000 dollar reward for info leading to arrest/conviction of the shooter(s).

[Chicagoan]

Rest In Peace Brother.

[JonnyBoy092]

My prayers go out to his family and friends. I'm sorry to hear of this loss...

Stay Safe,
JonnyBoy092

[PAWOL2]

My prayers are with this fallen hero, and his family, friends, and colleagues.