Joseph John Hanicak Jr.

Joseph John (JJ) Hanicak, Jr., 75, of Alexandria, VA passed away on February 22, 2024, at Mount Vernon Hospital after a long battle with lung and colon cancer. Joe was born on August 10th, 1948 in Scranton, PA to parents Joseph John Hanicak Sr. and Pearl Theresa Pietrewicz Hanicak.
Joe grew up in Dickson City, PA, a suburb of Scranton where he graduated from Dixon City High School in 1966. In 1968 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and graduated from boot camp at Fort Dix, NJ. He trained as a Military Police Officer and performed those duties for both tours in Vietnam and through his release in Nov. 1970. Joe's military police training provided for a natural transition to police work upon his honorable discharge from the Army. He was hired by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), Washington, D.C. in July of 1971 and graduated from the Police Academy soon thereafter. Joe enjoyed his career as a police officer in the Third District and through hard work and dedication achieved the rank of Detective. Joe also became involved with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Union activities and served as a shop steward for many years. After a long and rewarding career, Joe retired from the MPD in August 1994.
Joe spent a lot of time after retirement taking care of his daughter, Terri and chauffeuring her to school, dance lessons, sports activities and other extracurricular activities including serving as an assistant coach for Terri's various softball teams. He also spent many, many hours taking care of the lawn, flowers and vegetable garden which were his pride and joy which also attributed to his enviable great tan. It gave him great pride to share the bountiful harvest of garden produce with neighbors and friends to enjoy as well as having plenty for his wife to can and freeze for the family. Joe was an avid fan of professional football, baseball and wrestling but specifically never missing a Redskin/Commanders or Nationals game on TV. Joe also worked as softball umpire for Fairfax County VA adult leagues but after a few years he grew tired of area traffic and decided to focus on enjoying retirement. He enjoyed staying in contact with the Army veterans, MPD friends as well as high school alumni and his family. He was actively involved in finding and connecting with fellow Vietnam Veterans with whom he had served. Joe did an annual pilgrimage to The Wall in DC every Veterans Day to be followed by several days of social time with his Vietnam buddies. Joe planned and organized a reunion and activities for his fellow Vietnam Veterans in Washington, D.C. where they gathered to reconnect and share their memories together.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Shephard Hanicak of Alexandria, VA as well as his daughter Terri Hanicak Richmond and son-in-law Steven Richmond of Charleston, SC. Joe is also survived by his brother, Dave Hanicak and his wife Lonnie Hanicak of Moscow, PA along with five nephews and their spouses and children.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joseph John Hanicak, Sr.; mother, Pearl Theresa Pietrewicz Hanicak; father-in-law, Joseph Paul Shephard; and mother-in-law, Mary Lee Wilson Shephard.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your choice of the following charities. In addition to St. Louis Catholic Church, Joe regularly donated to the following:
The Wounded Warrior Project
The Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Fund
The National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial Fund
The National Museum of the Army
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Foundation
Toys for Tots, U.S. Marines
Humane Society of Fairfax County VA
Animal Welfare League
A visitation for Joseph will be held Monday, March 25, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A funeral service will occur Monday, March 25, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A reception will occur Monday, March 25, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151. A graveside service will occur Monday, March 25, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.