Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Randy and I were 2nd cousins and were born 6 weeks apart. I still have a photo taken of us as newborns. His grandma lived right across the tracks from us and we played together when his family visited. I vividly remember when he was killed. His grandmother was heartbroken. Such an absolute waste. I have thought of Randy often throughout the years, especially when my oldest son was pursuing a criminal justice degree. It always makes me sad to think of his life ending at 23; yet I am proud of the officer and man that he was.

Fran Blank
Cousin

April 18, 2025

My Father, Allen Peterson, was a sergeant at the time. The night this happened they called the next shift in early. As cliche as it sounds, I was sent to the local donut shop in the middle of the night to buy ALL the donuts for the officers coming in early.

Brian Peterson
Sgt. Allen (Cuffy) Peterson's son

December 30, 2024

Randall Blank was my cousin and so hard on the family knowing he was doing his job when he was killed, and to happen on New Yrs Eve made it even harder. 1 yr later I lost my grandpa exactly 1 yr later.. 2 deaths on the same side of the family in 1 yr

Dawn Smith
Cousin

May 12, 2024

I can’t believe it’s going to be 40 years since you left us. I remember those rosy cheeks and that smile. I’m so glad to have known you as a friend. It’s so unfair that you didn’t get a chance to get married and have babies.
I also want to thank Officer Greg Hanson for your bravery in taking down that scumbag.
That is a night I will never forget
RIP

Jackie Roy
Dispatcher

December 22, 2020

Omgosh Randy,I still think about u every time I hear about a fallen officer, it’s 2019 now, and we were just kids when we knew each other in 1976, and both worked at the Hollywood restaurant, I still remember us laughting every time u got after us waitress’s lol. I know your in heaven ,because u had a heart of gold, u were such a problem solver ,u never got mad,always had to talk about the problem, even those we gave u a hard time,u just smiled, I know your happy my friend and I will see u there ,till we cross paths again, Rest In Peace,

Jordy Hammond (George )
A old friend

April 4, 2019

He was my friend. Rest in peace my friend. Gone to soon.

Ike Smith

December 31, 2018

To those friends, fellow officers & relatives of Randall Blank: I went to P.T.I. with him. He was gone too soon. I remember him as kind & soft spoken. I still think of him often.

Turner Rouse
Bloomington P.D. 1978-1985.

November 18, 2018

Warrior!!!!

Anonymous
Anonymous

December 31, 2017

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 15, 2017

Officer Blank's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 10-30-17 to remember and honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
Richton Park Police

October 30, 2017

I will never forget getting a phone call in the middle of the night from Paul Triolo telling me Randy had been shot....i then tried to sleep and had dreams of being outside Swedish American Hospital and seeing Randy in the window waving to me with his head bandaged. Woke up to learn he had died. My last memory of him was him stopping in his little sports car while I was walking the beat patrol at Mulberry and Main and we talked for a while and he drove off....about two weeks before he died. One of my greatest honors is being a pall bearer at his funeral on that cold January day and our dear friend and fellow officer Russ Nelson suffering from pneumonia also carrying Randy to his resting place. Something I will never, nor want to ever, forget.

Tim Ferguson
fellow officer Rockford PD

December 30, 2015

Gone for no good reason. I know we would be friends to this day. Not a day goes by, that I don't see a car or something that reminds me of you. Muscle cars are back and I see you in that Dodge RT, that you loved so much. Serving was your goal and you made it happen, you were always such a determined young man. I was always so proud of you. May God continue to bless your gentle soul.

Beth Rose Cameron

January 8, 2015

Randy and I were in Boy Scouts together. He was my best friend during those years. We would horseplay, but Randy could also be a serious student when earning merit badges. We took 25-mile bicycle rides toward the Cycling merit badge, which is quite a feat, and Randy would give it 100 percent, like he gave everything. We also took 25-mile canoe rides at Northwoods in Michigan ... very challenging! Anything Randy tackled, he finished. Randy never quit. Randy was a nice, low-key, humble, really good guy. I look forward to seeing you in heaven, Randy.

Jeff Helberg
Friend of Randy's

December 31, 2014

Rest in Peace Officer Blank. We have not forgotten you.

Annonymous/Retired Patrol

December 31, 2013

I remember this like it was yesterday. My father had the pleasure of working with Officer Blank on the Freeport Police Department. The night it happened; I remember my dad coming home from his shift for dinner and just sitting and watching the news reports crying.

It was the first time I remember seeing my father cry.

As life has gone on; and as I have grown older and realized all the dangerous activities my father engaged in during his 30years on the force my thoughts still go back to Officer Blank and his family for their sacrifice.

Tammy Parker Borman
daughter of retired police officer

December 31, 2013

I was randy blanks dispatcher on that morning. By far it was the most horrific call I ever had to handle. It almost changed my career. I didn't want to spend the rest of my life dispatching people to calls to help people only to be shot and killed. With the help of many Rockford police officers I endured. To this day my heart breaks when I think about randy. I also would like to mention officer Greg Hansen. He caught Randy's killer a short time a after it happened. He is my hero! I know I will never forget randy. Sincerely. Karen welsh.

Karen Welsh

December 31, 2013

Rest in Peace, Officer Blank. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 29, 2013

My dear friend Randy has not been forgotten, even 32 yrs later. He was first my manager at Hollywood restaraunt, then after leaving he became my best friend. Amazingly, I got a picture of him and me together a month before he died. I will always treasure it. I truly believe he is now an angel looking over the lives of the people who loved him.
None of us know if -we, or -any of our loved ones have another day. May God bless and protect all the Peace Officers who are putting their lives on the line everyday to make our communities safer.

Allison

December 22, 2012

Rest in peace and Olav Hashalom Officer Blank.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 24, 2012

I don't know you but my dad, Terry, has kept your memory alive by sharing stories about you guys as kids. From the sounds of it your passion for police work and for treating people fairly raised the bar in the industry. One day we'll meet and I'll have the chance to meet you. I'd be honored if you would be willing to play a game of sandlot baseball with me when the time comes.

Kris Marsh

April 15, 2012

Randy was my boss before he became a police officer. All he ever wanted to do was be a police officer. He was a kind and fiar man. He was a manager at the Hollywood restaurantt in rockford. Thank you for your kindness. Mike Lippe

EMT/Firefighter Stratford, WI

February 21, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the thirty-first 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.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 3, 2012

Randy,
30 years have gone by since your passing and you are still remembered. You will not be forgotten. Tonight the local news did a segment about your story to mark the date. RIP my friend.

Anonymous

December 30, 2010

I remember Randy very well. In 1980 I was just a young kid working in a downtown Rockford restaurant where a lot of the local police officers used to stop in for coffee. Randy was one of those officers, that is where I met him. He was a very nice, polite, considerate individual who never seemed annoyed by me and my coworker who used to pester him. On a couple of occasions my coworker and I even walked on Randy's beat with him. He was truly a kind gentleman, and I will never forget when I heard the horrible news of his passing. I was shocked, frightened, angry and saddened all at the same time. I sympathize with his family and friends, he was truly one of a kind. May you continue to rest in peace Randy. You are not forgotten.

Laurie D.

October 20, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU YOUNG SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 28, 2007