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Former sheriff recognized by department, commissioners

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton A plaque recognizing the career of former Sheriff Larry Kopko, who passed away last month, was presented to the Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday. In the photo are, from left, Deputy Rachel Canfield, Deputy Joshua Warmath, Commissioner Ben Kafferlin, Chief Deputy Chuck Fetzeck, Commissioner Tricia Durbin, Deputy Chris Riche, Chief Clerk Marcy Jurkowski, Sheriff Brian Zeybel, Deputy Randy Ickert, Deputy John Uplinger, Commissioner Jeff Eggleston and Deputy Jake Johnson.

A former sheriff and longtime public servant was remembered this week.

Former Sheriff Larry Kopko passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, after a battle with esophageal cancer.

The Warren County Commissioners prepared a plaque that will now hang in the sheriff’s department in his memory. That plaque was presented to the department during a Wednesday meeting.

According to his obituary, Kopko served as a U.S. Marine and resided in Warren for 44 years.

His first law enforcement job was with the Warren Borough Police Department and then as lieutenant with the Conewango Township police.

He became sheriff in January 1992 and was credited for efforts with programs ranging from DUI roadblocks and checkpoints, the drug task force and other and a Domestic Violence Task Force, among others.

“While Sheriff, his department was cited by Superintendent of the New York State Police and the Governor of Pennsylvania on the apprehension of a most wanted felon in New York State who had shot and wounded two New York State Troopers and killed another Trooper,” according to his obituary.

Kopko retired in 2012 after 20 years as the county’s sheriff and lived in Kent, Ohio, in his retirement.

He is survived by his wife, Ann, with whom he shared 53 years of marriage and three children.

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