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Incident
Patrolman Jon Hardy was shot and killed in an ambush after responding to a residential burglary call on Harder Drive. He was shot, and his partner was wounded as they returned to their patrol car after checking a house. The subject used a .223 caliber Kar 15 that he had converted to fully automatic. He was holding a female hostage in the home after killing four people earlier in the day. It is believed that the shooter made the call to lure the officers to his residence. The man later died when the pipe bombs he was making exploded. His hostage was injured in the explosion but survived. Patrolman Hardy was a United States Air Force veteran and served with the Gillette Police Department for over one year.
Survivors
He was survived by his two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Jon is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Hardy gave the Gillette Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Gillette community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jon Roy Hardy served in the U.S. Air Force (1978â1982) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jon is the only officer of Gillette Police Department remembered here.
Jon is one of 41 officers killed feloniously in WY, 65.1% of the 63 remembered there.
Jon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Jon is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 1 officer in WY was killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 30 years on record. The heaviest was 1903, with 5.
In 1983, 106 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 47th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1983, 128 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 43rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jon was 26. Of the 32 killed feloniously in WY whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 41.5. Jon had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Jon was 26. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Jon had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jon was 26. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jon had served 1.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 2.4% of these deaths in WY; March holds the most, 14.6%. Tuesdays: 12.2%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Gillette Police Department. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.1% of all 63 deaths in WY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 12.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
Military Service
Jon Roy Hardy served in the U.S. Air Force (1978–1982) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jon Roy Hardy’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Gillette Police Department are honored on badge.nw.