(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) announced the passing of retired Captain Patrick Rogacki on Aug. 1, 2025, after a long and brave battle with an aggressive form of job-related cancer.
“Captain Rogacki’s illness was a result of his heroic work at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks,” wrote CSFD. “As a Search Group Manager with Colorado Task Force 1, he spent countless hours in the dangerous and hazardous debris piles, focusing on safety and recovery efforts for those lost in the tragedy.”
Captain Rogacki joined CSFD in 1979 and served with the department for 35 years before his retirement in 2014. According to the fire department, he was part of the Wildland Program, served as a Medical Lieutenant, and spent 15 years in the High Angle Rescue Program.
“Captain Rogacki also helped create the CSFD ‘High Angle Rescue Techniques and Procedures’ manual. This manual has aided firefighters in performing hundreds of high-angle rescues safely,” wrote CSFD.
Serving as a dedicated member of the CSFD Honor Guard, he supported several City events, including memorial services for fallen firefighters.
“He took pride in supporting firefighters and their families,” wrote CSFD. “As part of Colorado Task Force 1, he helped communities across the country during national disasters. His rescue and recovery work provided families with closure when they lost loved ones.”
Another notable deployment for Captain Rogacki, according to CSFD, was the Space Shuttle Columbia crash in Texas, in addition to Ground Zero.
CSFD Fire Chief Randy Royal described Captain Rogacki as a passionate and dedicated firefighter who always went above and beyond.
“We are saddened that his service at Ground Zero led to his passing, but we are proud of the positive impacts he made locally and nationally,” wrote Fire Chief Royal. “We are honored to have had him as part of the CSFD family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, and we look forward to honoring him at his memorial service.”
According to CSFD, Captain Rogacki’s memorial service will be private, but invites the community to line the streets to honor him and support his family during the procession. Those details will be shared at a later time.
“Firefighters who are diagnosed with and die from job-related cancer, even after retirement, are considered Line of Duty Deaths,” wrote CSFD. “This is due to their illness being directly linked to the dangerous conditions they faced while serving.”
