(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…