Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I hired Joe for his first seasonal job with the NPS at Hopewell Furnace. He did an excellent job that year and I was happy to be able to recommend him to be hired at Valley Forge. I was shocked to learn he had been murdered and wondered then, and still wonder, if I had done a better job as his supervisor he would still be alive.

Lee Boyle, Chief Ranger
National Park Service

July 10, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 21, 2015

Even though it's been awhile now, still think about Joe frequently. Got to know him when I was taking Seasonal Law Enforcement Ranger Training at Southwestern Community College.He worked in the Smokies while I was a seasonal on the Blue Ridge Parkway. After taking the ranger training, found I had a great interest also in getting trained as an EMT. Walked into the Cherokee Tribal EMS, where the EMT training was held, and I'll be dogged, there was Joe.We got to be pretty good friends from that point on.

Bill Randolph- seasonal ranger-BRP.
just a good friend-learned much from him.

January 30, 2015

I thought of Joe today. He was a great guy.

Judy (Evans) Carman
Octorara High School Class of 1979

June 21, 2014

Father's Day, Sunday, June 15, 2014. Never forget.

Glenn Martin
Co-worker

June 15, 2014

I knew Joe but a brief time. He was a good friend to my wife - a fellow NPS Ranger - and was a great inspiration to her during the training session they completed together. For that I am eternally grateful and consider him to be among the best.

Mark Stibitz
Friend

June 10, 2014

It's been 35 years since Joe graduated from Octorara High School Class of 1979. Joe is still remembered by his classmates. Thank you Joe for all you did to keep us safe.

Judy (Evans) Carman
Friend

May 31, 2014

Joe

It's been many years since that day at Big Witch Gap. It's been but a day since I recalled your sacrifice. You are not forgotten.

For Joe: Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

For his family and friends: Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Till we meet again.

A Miller
Sup. U.S. Park Ranger (ret)

January 10, 2014

Joe, with his friendship and remarkable example, enriched every day of my seasons in the Smokies! He was my friend (lucky me) and a boon to the world. His legacy, specific and amorphic, is boundless. Thank you, Joe.

Leila Raim, former GSMNP Interp. ranger

June 21, 2013

Ranger Kolodski,
On today, the 15th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for our Country. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
U.S. Border Patrol

June 21, 2013

Joe was my roommate and best friend at FLETC. We spent time together after class and on our days off. One of our favorite activities was playing pool. He was a great Christian guy who had a positive influence on others. My time at FLETC was much more enjoyable because of Joe.

Rick Sladick
former NPS Ranger

April 19, 2013

Thank you Sir for your service, you served well. RIP

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

June 21, 2012

The Washington State chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors (WAStateC.O.P.S.) met Ranger Kolodski's widow and children at the funeral of Mt. Rainier National Park Ranger Margaret Anderson in January, 2012.

Ranger Kolodski, you must be so proud of your family! Your wife and children are incredibly kind and compassionate people, reaching out through their sorrow to another grieving family. Your legacy lives on through them.

Rest in peace, sir; you are not forgotten.

Brenda Donner
Washington State Concerns of Police Survivors

June 18, 2012

I knew Joe Kolodski many years ago when he worked at Valley Forge National park. I knew him to be a hardworking, kind person. I heard from Joe a couple times after he left the area, but eventually we lost touch.
I heard about the event that took his life years after it happened and was shocked. I was saddened that such a young, enthusiasitic ranger could be taken from the job he loved so much and his family so suddenly. I remember Joe well even though I hadn't seen him in years. I remember him as being kind, concientious and a caring family man. MY heart goes out to his family and may his children always remember what a fine person he was personally and professionally. Anyone who had the privelege of knowing joe, knows he will always be missed.

m morgan Park Visitor
Visitor to park

August 21, 2011

My husband and I were at the SMNP visitor center on the anniversary this year and we were able to participate in the moment of silence for Joe. It brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to come home and follow up on this tragic event. We had just completed the Blue Ridge Parkway and were so amazed by its beauty and then so saddened by this event. Our thoughts and prayers go to his family and those that knew and loved him. Thanks to all officers for what they do.

Timi and Harry Tullis
visitor to Blue Ridge

July 13, 2011

I attended the Law Enforcement Park Ranger Academy at Southwestern CC (Franklin, NC) in 1994. Joe was one of the adjunct instructors in the program and one of my favorites. Now 17 years since I last saw him and 13 years since his passing, I still remember his great sense of humor and sarcastic wit. I remember hearing the news that a ranger at GSMNP had been killed and then I went on the internet and was stunned that it was someone I knew that I highly respected and admired. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and co-workers.

Jeremy Kulm
Former NPS Ranger

June 23, 2011

I've just read about Joe Kolodski's passing in 1998 after visiting the 1983 SRUP yearbook now electronically available online from the Bailey Library at SRUP.

I am very saddened by the tragic news of his passing as Joe was a college classmate and a friend who was extremely kind to me as an international student from Kenya. We lost touch soon after our graduation in 1983. We both attended SRUP (1980-83), took several classes together and the late Joe Kolodski lived in an opposite room to mine in one of the college dormitories. He was extremely kind and focused in his studies and future career in Parks & Recreation. He was also a proud member of the ROTC. My condolences to his family.

May He RIP.

Chris Githiora
Former College mate at SRUP

June 22, 2011

Joe, it is nearly the anniversary that someone took actions to take you away from family,loved ones and community forever. I learned of your passing years later than many, as we had lost touch with one another. Even though years passed, your memory is clear, as are the examples of the many times you proved yourself to be a kind, caring individual. I have no idea what has happened to your family in the years that have passed, but hope they have faired well under the guidance and memory of a father/husband who was devoted to their well-being during his short life. Peace be with you and your family.

Anonymous

June 18, 2010

I will be graduating from Slippery Rock University in 3 weeks. I am in the Park Ranger program here. We talk about Officer Kolodski often, as he sat in our seats at one point in time. SRU will always remember him, and we always raise money every year to support his family.
I will be working LE at Delaware Water Gap NRA as a seasonal starting in May. I just wanted to say thanks to Joe for his service, and thanks to all other officers here for theirs as well.
God Bless
In the name of our duty...be safe
Thanks

Rick
NPS

April 13, 2010

Joe, thinking of you over this Thanksgiving Holiday and giving thanks I had the opportunity to be acquainted with such a fine person. Your presence if felt in everything that is good, honest and kind. Your physical being may be gone, but your spirit certainly live on in all who knew you and everything you gave your attention to. It was an honor to know you.

Anonymous

November 28, 2009

I had the good fortune to get to know Ranger Kolodski when he worked in the National Park service in Pennsylvania. I was impressed at the time of his professionalism and kind manner. I have just learned of his death all these years later and am shocked to hear he is gone. However, I am not surprised the he died in the line of duty protecting others. He was a top park ranger who put the safety of others first. In the short time that I knew him, he also proved himself to be a fine and honest person. My heart felt condolences go out to his wife and children. We have all lost someone wonderful who was an asset to the park service and all those he came in contact with.

M Morgan

October 23, 2009

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 11th 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace.

I can see by the reflections left that you are loved and missed by many. Your family is in my heart's embrace.

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

June 21, 2009

Just remembering you 10 years and 1 day after your sacrifice, I remember like it was yesterday.
Rest in Peace sir.

Michael Roberts

June 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

March 27, 2008

Just thinking of you on this Fathers Day. I remember the day you were killed and think about your children every year on Fathers Day.

NC Game Warden

June 17, 2007