On the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Colorado Springs community honored a local firefighter who died last year from the toxic exposure he experienced while assisting with the recovery efforts. 

Capt. Patrick Rogacki was a member of the Colorado Task Force One, a group that deployed in the wake of the tragedy to help dig through the wreckage looking for survivors and remains.

“We remember the courage it took to step into that devastation,” said Paul Rogacki, his twin, who spoke during a ceremony at Memorial Park hosted by the city of Colorado Springs. 

During a speech prepared by Rogacki’s large family, his brother remembered the firefighter’s sacrifice and love for his calling.

“He gave his life to it and for it,” he said. But Rogacki never called himself a hero and he never complained.

Rogacki is now among the more than 600 firefighters who responded to the devastation and have died from the toxic exposure, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters. He is also among seven local firefighters who have died in the line of duty and are named on a plaque outside the Colorado Springs Fire Department headquarters. 

The longtime Colorado Springs resident, with a wry sense of humor, was 68 when he passed, his brother said.

During his address, Paul Rogacki honored those who share his twin’s calling as first responders.

“You embody the courage, loyalty and commitment that define our community,” he said.

Paul Rogacki spoke alongside local leaders, including Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who reminded the community that an entire generation has grown up with no memory of the terror attacks that took almost 3,000 lives and so it falls on older adults to continue telling the stories of that day, not just of the tragedy, but of the bravery and unity that followed.

“Amid unimaginable evil, we witnessed extraordinary courage,” Mobolade said.