Paul Jablonski

Here are some links for stories about your cousin, Paul Jablonski:

http://marquettewire.org/2439547/tribune/tribune-news/remebering-a-...

http://archive.jsonline.com/news/obituaries/29173984.html

http://www.marquette.edu/excellence/service-awards-2007.shtml (he won this award posthumously)

http://www.marquette.edu/newsbriefs/2006/Staff/October-2006-Staff/O...

http://marquettewire.org/2344409/tribune/tribune-news/the-blues-are...

http://www.iaclea.org/members/clej/pdf/November_December_2006.pdf (if you search for his name you will see an obituary in this magazine)

Remebering a life of service Phil Caruso • October 5, 2006

Members of the Department of Public Safety and the Milwaukee Police Department are scheduled to gather today in the 2100 block of West Wells Street to dedicate a renovated police substation for the Avenues West neighborhood. But Capt. Paul Jablonski, an associate director of DPS who played a major role in the substation's renovation, will not be in attendance.

Jablonski died Sunday after a short illness. He was 44. To show respect for Jablonski, DPS officers have added a black band around their badges.

Jablonski was an integral part of DPS for 23 years, according to Chief Larry Rickard. Jablonski started as a residence hall officer, which is equivalent today to a safety service officer. In March 2002, Jablonski was promoted to captain.

Jablonski handled information technology for the department, including digital surveillance cameras and keycard access to university facilities. He oversaw the Student Safety Program and maintained DPS and SSP vehicles. Thanks to his efforts, DPS will be acquiring five new squad cars and one new supervisor vehicle.

"Paul shared himself with so many people," Rickard said. "He was an incredible human being and a wonderful man."

His most recent accomplishment is the substation on West Wells Street. The substation was originally opened in 1992, but was unable to meet the needs of area law enforcement. MPD, Avenues West and DPS, represented by Jablonski, raised the necessary funds to refurbish the substation.

"Paul never missed an opportunity to help someone in need," Rickard said.

Jablonski also volunteered at Milwaukee's annual Irish Fest for 18 years at the Tipperary and Aer Lingus music stages. He was a soundman, crewman, backstage co-manager and security man.

He was also a member of The Emerald Society of Milwaukee, an organization created to promote Irish heritage in the law enforcement profession.

"Paul always had a smile on his face," said Capt. Russ Shaw, associate director of DPS.

Jablonski, the son of the late Louis Jablonski, is survived by his mother, Marion Jablonski of Milwaukee; sisters, Mary, Christine and Monica Jablonski of Milwaukee and Jan and Judith Jablonski of Pittsburgh; brothers, Lou Host-Jablonski, James, Gregory and David; his special uncle, Ron; and several nieces, nephews and grandnephews.

Funeral services will be held on Friday at Gesu Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon. At noon, University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.

"There are no words that can be said to provide any comfort to the many who loved him," Rickard said. "There are simply just no words. He will be missed dearly."

OBITUARIES|PAUL J. JABLONSKI

JABLONSKI WAS MAN OF DEDICATION MU police captain helped renovate station Oct. 05, 2006 By Amy Rabideau Silvers of the Journal Sentinel

The formal dedication today of the renovated Marquette University police station - which the Marquette Public Safety Department and the Milwaukee Police Department are to use jointly - will be all the more poignant for the absence of Paul J. Jablonski. A Public Safety Department captain, Jablonski helped in much of the planning for the Avenues West Police Substation project at N. 21st and W. Wells streets. He even included a place for the Milwaukee horse patrol to tie up and water its transportation. "He put up a sign for 'Horse Parking Only,' " said Larry Rickard, public safety chief for the university. "He brought that in, and he cracked me up. "He should be there," Rickard said of the dedication ceremony, planned for 10:30 a.m. "He should be there to see the work that he did and how it's going to help people in the neighborhood." Jablonski, who began experiencing severe respiratory distress a month ago, died Sunday. He was 44. Autopsy results are pending. The ninth of 10 children, Jablonski grew up in a true Marquette family. His late father, Louis S. Jablonski, was a professor in business administration, and his mother, Marion M. Jablonski, was a Marquette graduate. "He was the youngest brother in the family but everybody's big brother," brother-in-law Bob Wait said. 23 years with department Jablonski earned bachelor's and master's degrees in history at Marquette, but he found his eventual career as a result of part-time work while an undergraduate. He and a brother, David, worked as residence hall officers for the Public Safety Department. "He worked his way up, learning all aspects of security," Rickard said. "He worked with the department for 23 years." He became one of two captains with the department, which has about 80 officers, most full-time, and more than 100 students in part-time jobs. Jablonski served in a variety of roles. He worked with a committee to create a crisis management plan for the university. He helped update technology for the department and on campus. He was responsible for a student transportation program. He even put on protective gear to allow female students to practice self-defense moves. And he was put in charge of coordinating changes to the Avenues West Police Substation, which was previously little more than a few old tables and chairs. The renovated station includes new furniture and computers, and even an awning with the emblems of both the Marquette department and the Milwaukee Police Department. "The ideas and the vision of what was needed came from Paul," Rickard said. "He was up there every day, directing contractors on the work. He oversaw that." At 6 feet 10 inches, Jablonski was sometimes called "Tall Paul." "He was probably the tallest guy on campus, except for the basketball players," said a sister, Judith Jablonski. Others affectionately called him "The Human Forklift" for his strength and helpfulness in moving household items for friends, family and, in one case, a total stranger who needed help moving to Chicago. Everyone's 'best friend' Family members remembered how he enjoyed the silliness of life, how he made each person feel like the center of the universe. "So everybody's lost a best friend," his sister said. His mother said: "You could always see the little boy inside peeking out. He's a person who takes care in how he takes care of people." Jablonski was long involved with Irish Fest, volunteering at the Tipperary and Aer Lingus stages. He helped out as a soundman, on equipment and security, and as a backstage co-manager, family members said. "Paul never missed an opportunity to help someone in need, throwing a smile someone's way or simply talking to them about a problem," Rickard said. In addition to his mother, Judith and James, survivors include sisters Mary, Christine, Monica and Jan; brothers Lou Host-Jablonski, Gregory and David; and uncle Ron. Visitation from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Brett Funeral Home, 2001 W. Wisconsin Ave., will be followed by an Irish wake. Visitation will continue from 10 a.m. Friday until the noon funeral service at Gesu Church, N. 12th St. and W. Wisconsin Ave. Father Robert Wild, president of Marquette, will celebrate the funeral Mass.

Paul J. Jablonski (posthumously) Captain/Associate Director, Department of Public Safety Administrator Award

Although Jablonski passed away in fall 2006, his legacy on campus is evident in the Student Safety Program, the Avenues West Police Substation, the university’s Critical Incident Management and Business Continuity Plan, Public Safety’s Command Information Center and the department’s relationship with the Milwaukee Police Department.

“Paul was genuinely concerned with you as a person,” said a nominator. “He was very personable, approachable and resourceful. Paul loved Marquette and everything it stands for, and his love rubbed off on those who worked with him side-by-side. It would not be an overstatement to say that Paul has left an indelible mark on Marquette University.”

Marquette University News Briefs: Marquette community mourns the death of Captain Paul Jablonski

Captain Paul Jablonski, a member of Marquette’s Public Safety department for more than 20 years, died Sunday, Oct. 1, following a month-long illness.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 6, at Gesu Church. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon. At noon Rev. Robert A. Wild, Marquette president, will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial.

“Paul never missed an opportunity to help someone in need, throw a smile someone’s way or simply sit down and talk to them about a problem.  He wanted people to feel his kindness,” said Chief Larry Rickard. “Paul shared himself with so many people.  He was an incredible human being, a wonderful man. There are no words that can be said to provide any comfort to the many who loved him; there are simply just no words.  We will miss him dearly.” Rickard credited Jablonski with upgrading the department’s technology and fostering community outreach, including the development of the new substation on 21st and Wells. 

Marquette Wire: The blues are back Phil Caruso • October 10, 2006

The substation originally opened in 1992 as a result of a U.,”Members of Marquette, the Avenues West neighborhood, the city of Milwaukee, the Milwaukee Police Department and the American Legion convened at 2100 W. Wells St. on Thursday to reopen the Avenues West Police Substation.

The substation originally opened in 1992 as a result of a U.S. Department of Justice grant. It is part of the Justice Department's nationwide Weed & Seed Initiative – a community-oriented policing strategy that aims to prevent and reduce criminal activity.

Over the years the facility had not been able to meet the needs of the local law enforcement. Marquette, the Department of Public Safety, MPD and Avenues West – which represents a 90-block area immediately west of downtown – joined efforts to upgrade and refurbish the station.

According to June Moberly, executive director of the Avenues West Association, the community did not want the police to spend MPD money in order to patrol the neighborhood.

The money was "raised by the people," Moberly said.

The substation holds offices for MPD, DPS crime prevention officers and the state's Department of Corrections. With a new paint job and computers linked to the MPD database for police officers to use, the area has a constant presence of law enforcement, said Chief of DPS Larry Rickard.

The presence of MPD and DPS in the area has paid off. Since the opening of the substation in 1992, crime in the area has decreased by more than 67 percent, according to Moberly.

To honor the reopening of the substation, John Lewandowski, commander of American Legion Post 18, presented a U.S. flag flown in Iraq in April 2006 by the U.S. Air Force. MPD Third District Capt. Jim Harpole accepted the flag on behalf of MPD.

According to MPD Officer Donald Jackson, the substation is open 24 hours a day.

Jackson usually has the day shift at the substation.

The substation is different from an actual station because squads do not report there, Jackson said. Officers use the facility to type reports and to have a presence in the neighborhood.

"The substation has an interview room, but it does not have a lockup," Jackson said. "When we need to hold a suspect until a squad car comes we use the bench system."

Jackson defined the bench system as using handcuffs to attach a suspect to a bench handle.

The reopening of the substation also brought University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild, Fourth District Alderman Bob Bauman and Commissioner of City Development Rocky Marcoux.

DPS Capt. Paul Jablonski, whom Rickard said was an integral part of the substation's renovation, was missed at the reopening. Jablonski died Oct. 1 after a short illness. His family was present at the ceremony.

"When you look at that building you'll see Paul," Rickard said.

Rickard pointed out Jablonski's most visible contribution to the substation – two signs reading, "Parking for Police Horses Only." Below the signs are poles to tie the horses to and a hose to give them water.“ Paul Jablonski Captain Paul Jablonski, a member of Marquette University’s Public Safety Department for more than 20 years, died Sunday, October 1, following a month-long illness. He was 44. Jablonski earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history at Marquette, but he found his eventual career as a result of part-time work while an undergraduate. He and a brother, David, worked as residence hall officers for the Public Safety Department. He became one of two captains with the department, which has about 80 officers, most full-time, and more than 100 students in part-time jobs. Jablonski worked with a committee to create a crisis management plan for the university. He helped update technology for the department and on campus. He was responsible for a student transportation program. He even put on protective gear to allow female students to practice self-defense moves. Jablonski was also put in charge of coordinating changes to the Avenues West Police Substation, which was previously little more than a few old tables and chairs. The renovated station includes new furniture and computers, and even an awning with the emblems of both the Marquette department and the Milwaukee Police Department. At 6 feet 10 inches, Jablonski was sometimes called “Tall Paul.” “He was probably the tallest guy on campus, except for the basketball players,” said his sister, Judith Jablonski. Paul Jablonski Captain Paul Jablonski, a member of Marquette University’s Public Safety Department for more than 20 years, died Sunday, October 1, following a month-long illness. He was 44. Jablonski earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history at Marquette, but he found his eventual career as a result of part-time work while an undergraduate. He and a brother, David, worked as residence hall officers for the Public Safety Department. He became one of two captains with the department, which has about 80 officers, most full-time, and more than 100 students in part-time jobs. Jablonski worked with a committee to create a crisis management plan for the university. He helped update technology for the department and on campus. He was responsible for a student transportation program. He even put on protective gear to allow female students to practice self-defense moves. Jablonski was also put in charge of coordinating changes to the Avenues West Police Substation, which was previously little more than a few old tables and chairs. The renovated station includes new furniture and computers, and even an awning with the emblems of both the Marquette department and the Milwaukee Police Department. At 6 feet 10 inches, Jablonski was sometimes called “Tall Paul.” “He was probably the tallest guy on campus, except for the basketball players,” said his sister, Judith Jablonski.