Patrolman Jon Roy Hardy, Gillette Police Department, Wyoming

Patrolman Jon Roy Hardy

Gillette Police Department, Wyoming

End of Watch Tuesday, December 20, 1983

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Jon Roy Hardy

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. He was survived by his two children.

Bio

Age 26
Tour 1 year, 4 months
Badge Not available
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Rifle; .223 caliber
Offender Deceased

ambush, burglary, false report

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Jon was cut off in his prime years by an ambush. I speak not to the dead, but if you were alive, I would say, "Jon, although you died several decades before I was conceived, your death is connected to me, as well as the worldwide Pathfinder Club. You died protecting Gillette, the same city where sixty thousand people and I would live for a week to learn about God and have fun. Thank you for sacrificing yourself so that thousands of people could have the chance to experience your land, what you died to protect. Thanks, Jon."

Kyle Henry
Gillette Visitor/Pathfinder Club Member

May 13, 2025