A frigid breeze Friday couldn't dampen an outpouring of love and appreciation for a fallen Colorado Springs fire captain, his witty spirit still flickering through the shared memories of more than 100 people who gathered to honor him.
Retired Colorado Springs fire Capt. Patrick Rogacki died from a cancer on Aug. 1 after contracting the disease while rescuing survivors after the 9/11 attacks at ground zero.
"He was impacted by one of the risks that we deal with daily," said Fire Chief Randy Royal. "I had a chance to sit with him about two days before he passed ... he had no regrets. He had a glint in his eyes and this little smile that he always had, and he said, 'I wouldn't do anything different in my career.'"
The firefighter of over 45 years was honored through a procession that s