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Jay P. Balchunas
Incident
Special Agent Jay Balchunas succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained one week earlier when he was shot outside a gas station on West Villard Avenue in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Agent Balchunas was on duty as an undercover agent when he stopped at the gas station for a cup of coffee shortly after midnight. As he walked back to his car, he was confronted by two suspects who announced a robbery and pointed a gun at him. One of the suspects approached Agent Balchunas and discovered his gun. The other suspect then fired two rounds, striking Agent Balchunas in the liver.
Agent Balchunas was transported to Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds 7 days later.
The two suspects fled the scene but were apprehended several days after Agent Balchunas' death. They were both charged with murder. The shooter was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, but the conviction was later overturned on a mistrial. He was found guilty of first-degree reckless homicide in a second trial. The accomplice was convicted of felony murder.
Agent Balchunas had served with the Wisconsin Department of Justice for 5 years and had previously served for 9 years with the Milwaukee Police Department. Agent Balchunas also served as a volunteer firefighter with the New Berlin Fire Department.
Agent Balchunas was on duty as an undercover agent when he stopped at the gas station for a cup of coffee shortly after midnight. As he walked back to his car, he was confronted by two suspects who announced a robbery and pointed a gun at him. One of the suspects approached Agent Balchunas and discovered his gun. The other suspect then fired two rounds, striking Agent Balchunas in the liver.
Survivors
He is survived by his fiancée, parents, sister and brother-in-law, brother, and nephews.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Agent Balchunas gave the Wisconsin Department of Justice 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Madison community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Agent Balchunas.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jay is the only officer of Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation remembered here.
Jay is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Jay is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jay is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jay was 34. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Jay was 34. 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. Jay had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jay was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jay had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 11.9% of these deaths in WI, more than any other month. Fridays: 10.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Wisconsin Department of Justice - Division of Criminal Investigation are honored on badge.nw.