Former Warren County Sheriff Larry E. Kopko, Sr., 74, of Kent, Ohio and formerly of Warren, PA., died Thursday afternoon, November 17, 2022, after a 19 month battle with esophageal cancer. Larry was born December 15, 1947, in Washington, PA.
He had served with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War as a Staff Sergeant. He earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree with a major in Criminal Justice from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a graduate of National Sheriff’s Institute, Longmont Colorado. He also graduated from Rural Executive Management Institute from Little Rock, Arkansas and the FBI’s Great Lakes Leadership School, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Larry had resided in Warren, Pa., for 44 years, where he was employed as a Patrolman with the Warren Borough Police Department, and then was Lieutenant with Conewango Township Police Department. In January of 1992, he became Sheriff of Warren County. While Sheriff he was instrumental in the DUI effort in Warren County, having deputies participating. In DUI roadblocks and checkpoints, as well as the Drug Task Force, the Buckle Up Program and Domestic Violence Task Force.
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. Larry retired in 2012, after 20 years serving as Sheriff. He was a teacher at Jamestown Community College, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and National Sheriffs Association. Larry had served as Past Vice Chairman of the National Sheriffs Association Homeland Security Committee.
Larry was a member of Holy Family R.C. Church in Stow, Ohio and a former member of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, Warren, PA.
He is remembered by his family, as a man who always put his family first, he loved spending time with his wife, children and especially his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.
Larry is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ann Marie Catuzzi Kopko whom he married in 1969 in Buffalo, N.Y., 3 Children – James A. Kopko and wife, Leah of Bay Village, Ohio, Joseph A. Kopko and wife, Elizabeth of Mt. Lebanon, PA., Marie E. Burke and husband, Rocco of Streetsboro, Ohio, 1 Sister – Debbie Harshey and husband, Larry of Atlasburg, PA., 5 Grandchildren – Carmen, Carter, Andrew, Giuliana, Mattea, several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Shuba, 1 Son – Larry E. Kopko, Jr. who died November 3, 2010.
As a final selfless act, Larry chose to donate his body to the Cleveland Clinic Research Group in hopes of learning more about the effects of agent orange and Camp LeJeune water on veterans.
Friends may call in the gathering space of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, PA., on Saturday, November 26, 2022, from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon when a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by Fr. Stephen Schreiber, Pastor, officiating. The family is requesting that masks be worn during the visitation and funeral mass due to immune compromised attendees. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, next to his son, Larry Jr.
Family requests memorial contributions may be made to Semper Fi & America’s Fund, 825 College Blvd., Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105. E-mail condolences may be sent by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
I had the great fortune to know and work with Larry in my younger years. He in fact recommended me for a position I obtained when I left the Warren Police Department.
End of watch for a very good police officer,unfortunately it comes to us all but he will be missed.
We are all sincerely grateful for his service and sacrifice for our country. He touched the life of so many people. He will be missed by all
Great man , new Larry many years always very polite he was an excellent sheriff it was my honor to no him , rest no peace Larry
Rest In Peace larry
We bonded at usual “guy” things: Work, church, parenting, hunting. He was a lawman. I was a newsman. We also found ourselves together at life’s seamier events and dealt with their effects on us. Larry was a rock … with a marshmallow inside. He could be as tough as the situation required — but he wore it all (mostly) inside as well. Great Marine, good cop, solid sheriff, caring parent, community and church stalwart … and my friend. My life is better for having had him in it. My sympathies to Ann, the children, the extended family.
Ann Marie and family,
we send our prayers and support to you upon the death of Larry. He made some wonderful inroads to protect the citizens of Warren County and we remember him well from Holy Redeemer.
My sympathies to Ann, Jamie, Joe, Marie and your families
I don’t wish this on anyone, Larry destroyed my life , my hopes my dreams of becoming a police officer. I had already been accepted into the Mercyhurst municipal police academy and was doing well. Unfortunately Karry decided to contact the acting director and tell him things about my past youth . Therefore I was kicked out of the police academy and it decided my chances of being a police officer. Just Google Gardiner vs Mercyhurst municipal police academy. Larry wasn’t the kind man his obituary makes him out to be.. he was corrupt, he destroyed my life and its still to this day been hard on me . I turned to drugs during the horrible times I endured . Everyday that goes by I am reminded of what Larry Kopko did to me . The sad part is I knew him my whole life . I always liked him until he destroyed my life . I sued him and because if his immunity he got off. I feel sad for his surviving children and wife . And I feel badly about Larry suffering this way. I have lost family from cancer. I in fact lost my entire family now. But Larry destroyed my heart and life .
Dear Ann, family, and friends,
Condolences, and prayers are with you in your loss.
Sincerely, Elaine and Rodger Taraska
So very sorry for your loss. Larry was a good man.
I REMEMBER LARRY’S FIRST DAY AT WPD . A GREAT COWORKER AND FRIEND. MY CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY .
Ann, my deepest condolences on the passing of Larry. You two are well remembered as a part of my childhood growing up on Parker Street.
Dave Oelslager
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. I knew Larry through the PA Sheriff’s Association and found him to be a man of principle.
Larry was a wonderful person and a great sheriff. He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at the very sad time.
Larry was friend of many years. I am saddened. He stood with me as I spoke at my first student mock accident after my son was killed. We cried together several times. When Larry Jr died we cried together again. Always good friend
Ann and family,
I am so very sorry to hear this news. Larry was such a warm and funny man. He was a great dad and a loving husband. He was all about family. He made me laugh a lot- even when he pulled me over for a fake traffic stop!
He will be missed.
Dear Ann and Family,
I actually knew Ann long before I met “the Sheriff”. But after meeting him, I had many wonderful memories. I still have my “official sheriff badge” and several very formal communications from the Sheriff’s office (always a hit when they were delivered to my office), and my staff were wondering when I would be taken into custody?? Probably my best story is when the new jail was finished and there was an open house for the public.
Ann was working and she called me asking if I would go to the open house with her? No crowds had appeared, so we went. The Sheriff was showing us the new cells and locked us in one–and then discovered he had no key!! It took some time, but he finally got the door open!!
He now has the best key ever, to the Gate of Heaven!! I am saddened he was so ill, but I know he had the best nurses one could want! I will keep all of you in my prayers, he truly had a devoted wife and family! God Bless and Semper Fi.
Officer Kopko saved my family in 1987. My brother had a mental crisis and held my family at gun point. Officer Kopko talked to my brother for 3 hours and got him put out the gun down. He saved our lives and my brother didn’t get hurt. Great person. Prayers for the family
Barb and I send prayerful condolences to Ann and all of Larry’s loved ones.We fondly remember Larry as a fellow ‘east side ‘parent at the kid’s youth league baseball games at
Lacy field.I was a ‘SADD’ advisor’ during my career in the Warren County School District &
recall the caring,professional way he conducted the ‘mock accidents’.He,and his staff,did
wonderful work with the Citizen Sheriff’s Academy which I attended twice.All the while,he
was always approachable and dedicated to safe citizenship in Warren County.It was an honor to know Larry.God Bless.
Dear Ann,
Mike and I send our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family as you grieve the loss of your beloved Larry. We are all better for having known him.
Linda Hackett
Sheriff Kopko turned my life around. I got busted by him in Starbrick when I was a teenager. He gave me a second chance, and talked some sense into me. We had a similar situation growing up and I was mad at the world. He showed me how to use that frustration for success. I graduated and enlisted in the Navy. I retired from the Navy in 2012 after 25 years. I owe him more than can ever be expressed. Rather than arrest me, he saw a kid that was lost. He showed compassion and shared life lessons. I can link my success directly back to that October night.
Semper Fi Sheriff. I wish you, Fair Winds and Following Seas…
My heartfelt condolences to the Kopko family and all who loved him.
A true gentleman and warrior. May you rest in peace….
Semper Fi Brother! Until we see each other in Valhalla…
I was saddened as I learned of the passing of Sherrif Kopko. His dedication to the mock accidents at county schools was commendable, as were many other public service activities. I worked with Larry, Jr., and briefly with Marie, both great kids, a tribute to their parents. My sympathies to the family, and prayers for your comfort as you lean heavily on our Lord at this difficult time.
Ann and family. I am so sorry for your loss. I am so grateful for knowing Larry for almost 40 years in law enforcement but also working for him for 20 years. He was a boss but also a friend. Unfortunately I am out of town visiting family and will not be able to be there on Saturday. Which I’m sure he would understand, as family meant so much to him. Prayers for all of you. May God bless!
This man changed my life as a child (His son Larry was my best friend) I spent many sleepovers at his house and also he ‘hired’ me and his son to work at the circus in north warren to direct parking. I made some bad decisions in high school and got in trouble, but he let me off with good worldly advice. I pretty much stayed the straight course the rest of my life. I will miss him as much his son Larry Jr.
Dear Ann and family,
Barb and I extend our deepest sympathy to all of you. There are many fond memories that I have of Larry and one major regret and that is ,we let a good friendship drift into the past.
Please know that Barb and I have and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
He was a wonderful person and an outstanding law enforcement officer.
The last time I spent any time with my cousin Larry was upon his return home from Vietnam , I always looked up to Larry and missed him Thru the years . I m four years younger and always lived hanging out with him when it happened .
Dear Ann, children & grandchildren, you have my sincere sympathy at this difficult time. Larry was a Remarkable individual, loved by the Warren Community. l believe as he was welcomed into Heaven. Our Lord said “Well done my Good and Faithful Servant “.Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
Ann, Jamie, Joey, Marie and families, we send our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Larry. He was a good man, and honor to work with, protecting the citizens of Warren County.
RIP Larry.
Barb & Richard White
when i worked at the VA office at the court house Larry would come in to get a sugar free peppermint patty and chat…every time we heard a helicopter fly over going to the hospital…Larry would smile and i asked him why once and he said “to a solider in Vietnam, that was a sound that you knew you were safe and help was coming”…..to this day i think of Larry when i hear a helicopter…..thank you Larry for every thing you have did or shared with us here in Warren County……and to his family, prayers and know that Larry was well loved here in Warren…R.I.P. Larry
From infant car seats through support of numerous Warren County events Larry was always a gentleman and a pleasure to work with. Simply put, he was a good man and will be missed. Peace and prayers to his family and loved ones.
Deepest sympathies to the Kopko family. Larry was not only a respected member of law enforcement but he also served in the community in so many other ways, as a band dad, a member of several boards that championed the elderly, the abused, and the youth in the community. We will miss you Larry but God has gained yet another good and faithful servant. Ann, Jamie, Joe and Marie…you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Ann, My deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers
I met Larry when he responded to a call in North Warren. I was afraid that someone was trying to get into my home and I was sure I could smell aftershave. I lived alone and was terrified. When Larry arrived he searched everywhere but could not find anyone. He made me feel safe and assured me I wasn’t foolish for calling. Larry left and told me he would stay close. Well he parked a street away and walked back to find a man crouching down by my side window. He had gotten away from the state hospital. He would with Larry but was ultimately arrested. He may have saved my life that night. He was just an amazing man and truly cared for the citizens in his jurisdiction. I will never forget him.
To Ann and the whole family, Mindy and I would like to express our sadness at Larry’s passing. Many of our Warren memories are rooted in our relationships with the Kopko family. From business to swim team and personal interaction, we always relished our friendships. We wish you all the best!
Godspeed Sheriff! You enriched and improved so many people’s lives that it can’t be put into words. You dedicated your life to your fellow man. You and Ann raised the next generation of wonderful people in your children.
May god bless and keep them all.
I know that you and Jr will be guiding and watching over them. To your family, know that the memory of Larry will live on through the many people he touched.
Dear Ann, Jamie, Joey,Marie and families. I was so shocked and saddened to hear about “Big Larry” We had wonderful times together. Little Larry was literally part of our family all those precious days we had together. I also lost my Soul Mate on July 21st this year. I know how you are feeling right now and my love and prayers go out to all of you. Gary is so missed with us and he and Big Larry are having great talk’s.
Take good care of yourself and know that lots of love goes with this message.
I live with Michelle and David here in Texas.
If you would like to talk call anytime. My number is: 903-456-2413. We live at : Nancy Black
111 Charleston Lane
Fate, Texas 75189-4999
First off, let me offer the Kopko family my sincere condolences. I do not know the family but I did have the pleasure of taking Standardized Field Sobriety Testing from the Sheriff at Mercyhurst in 2012. It was one of the most rewarding and valuable learning experiences in my career thus far. Sheriff Kopko truly stood guard on the Thin Blue Line. He taught us that every interaction and every citizen contact was a teaching moment. He felt our role was to educate and connect with our citizens to make our communities great. Every traffic stop starts as a warning and teachable moment. From there it is the actions of the citizen to determine their punishment based on attitude and respect.
I can’t help it think that if we had more men like Sheriff Kopko, our news media would have less opportunities to exploit bad behaviors of the few.
After reading this obituary, it is clear that Larry spent his life running toward gunfire in service to others. I am confident that Saint Michael escorted him to Saint Peter and directly to God’s right hand. Rest easy Sheriff, your new watch has just begun.
Ann, this is Nan Black again. I just looked at the message I sent you. My phone #is 903-456-2412, so sorry. God’s Blessings to you and your family.
I REMEMBER LARRYS FIRST DAYS WORKING THE DESK AT WPD. MY EXPERINCES THEN TOLD ME HE WAS GOING PLACES. I KNOW HOW PROUD HIS FAMILY IS. A GOOD COP & FRIEND. MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL.
It hurts my heart so much to have to write this. Anyone who knew Larry professionally or personally knew how remarkable he was. I have many fond memories of him and his family, and I am thankful for the privilege of being part of his life, even for a small amount of time. My heart goes out to Ann, Jamie, Joe, Marie, and their families. He left an amazing legacy, and I know he will live on through each of you.
With deepest sympathy,
Abby
I worked for Larry at the warren country jail. Larry was not only my boss, but he became
a very good friend. He would be the first to tell you. You did a good job, but also be the first one that said you messed up. He ran a tight ship, but was fair to everyone. He will be missed.