Eddie C. Rhodes
November 9, 1954 ~ March 15, 2010
Resided in:
Pueblo West, CO
Eddie C. Rhodes, 55, died unexpectedly on March 15, 2010, in Pueblo West. Survived by his wife and best friend of 37 years, Vicki (Carlton) Rhodes; mother, JoeAnn Pardise of Georgia; father, Edsel (Jane) Rhodes of Pueblo; siblings, A.J. Rhodes of W. Hollywood, Calif., Neal Rhodes of Elizabeth, Colo. and his children Jordan and Jake, Robin (Steve) Pamplin of Georgia, Shelley (Tom) Danforth of Georgia and Stacie Williams of Kansas; very special aunt, Lois Roper; mother-in-law, Doris Harrison of Pueblo; sister-in-law, Susan (Jeff) Stimac of Houston, Texas and their children, Brooke, Brandy and Barbi; brother-in-law, Shawn Harrison; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his uncle, Leonard Roper.
Eddie was born Nov. 9, 1954, in Pueblo. He was a 1973 graduate of Centennial High School and graduated 1978 from then Southern Colorado State College summa cum laude in Philosophy and Political Science. On Feb. 18, 1980, he was hired onto the Pueblo Police Department, promoted to Corporal on July 1, 1985, promoted to Sergeant on Dec. 31, 1985, promoted to Captain on June 1, 1993, and since served as Night Shift Commander. He was a graduate of the 164th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. Eddie received many commendations throughout his career and was awarded the Pueblo Police Department Distinguished Service Award in 1996.
Eddie's passion was competitive shooting, and he was a nationally recognized pistol, rifle, and shotgun shooter. He won numerous State and National Championships as well as winning the respect and friendship of many, many, competition and tactical shooters across the country. He was considered to be the father of 'He-Man 3-Gun Competition.'
Viewing, from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel. Funeral service, 10 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Praise Assembly of God, 2000 Troy Ave., with Pastor Doug Cox officiating. Interment will follow at Imperial Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NRA-ILA (National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action) through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, www.montgomerysteward.com
*****
Vicki,
Please accept my deepest sympathy in your terrible loss to you and your family. Although I don’t see you anymore I have very warm memories of our friendship especially at “Rockys” cabin. Eddie seemed like a wonderful man, police officer and friend. I wish you peace and God’s blessings. I don’t know what else to say except that I am deeply sorry.
Vicki,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. I didn’t know him but he sure sounds like he was a very caring, loving and special man. It’s gotta be so hard for you right now. I know it hurts. But keep your faith and God WILL see you through this. I’ll be praying for you and your family. Sincerely…
Here is my speech I gave at Ed’s funeral:
When I hear the name Eddie Rhodes, several descriptive words come to my mind’�..warrior, command presence, mindset and tenacity.
Chris D’Amour, Brad Unger and I all were hired on together in 1995, and we were blessed in that we were assigned to Watch III, the graveyard crew under Captain Eddie Rhodes. We were so blessed to have worked for him.
I had been working graveyards for sometime under Ed, and my father gave me a book that was written by Miyamoto Musashi, a 17th century samurai warrior. The title is the Book of Five Rings, and it teaches strategy. A fitting passage reads:
The supervisor of a job should circulate among his men to appraise their strengths and weaknesses. He must praise them when they earn praise and admonish them when they don’t fulfill the requirements of the job. A commander must walk among his men if he is to expect a certain level of performance. If he is unaware of the skills of each warrior, how can he know to whom to assign tasks? The commander must praise and admonish in the same manner. This is a virtue of strategy.
This was Ed’�.Eddie was a warrior. He touched many lives, both at work and away from the job. He has had such a strong influence on many people.
Some are born leaders, others are not. Some have to work very hard at it, others don’t have to work at all. Ed is a natural born leader. I looked up to him as a mentor and teacher ‘�� and I cherished every moment when I was with him.
I looked to him for guidance on some tough decisions I was faced with, and his wisdom and knowledge steered me in the right direction. When Sheriff Taylor promoted me to Captain, Ed was one of the first calls I made.
Throughout the years, we got to know one another. I asked how long he and Vicky had been together. He said, ‘Since we were teenagers.’� I asked why haven’t you gotten married? He said, ‘Well, I just don’t know if I’m ready for commitment yet.’�
Ed has a warm and giving heart, someone who would lend a hand to someone in need. He is someone who cares about the men and women he commands.
And he is someone who loves his soulmate Miss Vicky so very much. We are all going to miss you so much Captain Rhodes.
I wanted to tell so many stories about the now legendary, Captain Eddie Rhodes. The man made such an impact in my life….as a Police Officer and as a marksman. I regret not going with my gut and calling him more often, spending time with him at his desk after roll call, and going to his home in the sticks….taking him Collette’s and talking about all the fun times we had. I will miss him so much. If you ever get that gut feeling, go with it and don’t ask questions. It may be the last time you see that person that means so much to you…..LD
Eddie was a great friend, mentor, leader and a very funny man! We can’t express how much Eddie meant to all of us and how much we all miss him. But, we will always carry great memories of our times together, especially his laugh that could be heard a mile away! God speed!
It was our greatest pleasure to met and to know Captain Rhodes…We would refuse to talk to any other officer…But Rhodes….We enjoyed to make all other officers day hell except his….When the streets weren’t busy he would always stop in to make sure that us his East Side Homies were doing goooood…We were his priority his job but he loved us…Many of us kids have turned out to be pretty gooood….he was proud of us never put us down just walked us through our next step to do right….I know that no other officer could ever take his place or get the respect that he received form the streets….WE LOVE YOU RHODES…. THE EAST SIDE….
Vicki,
What a wonderful man…you are truly blessed to have spent your lives together. The outpouring of love at today’s service was a true testament to you both. In the days to come, please know that I am thinking of you and sending blessings your way.
Vicki, please know we all feel your pain and know that each day it will get a little easier. Please know you have the community and friends and family to lean on. We continue to pray for you and keep you in our thoughts.
In this time of sorrow this message is sent to the family and loved ones of Eddie. To let you know that your grief is shared by all of us who knew Eddie. Our thoughts and heart go out to you and we hope you look to all of us for the strength and compassion that will see you through this saddest time.
Eddie was the best police officer we ever had the privilege of knowing and working with, he was the best Captain Jimmy and I ever worked with and we will never forget how he touched our lives. He gave new meaning to “drama.” God bless Eddie and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Our hearts and prayers go out to you Vicky in your time of great loss.
We wish to express our greatest sympathy to the family of Eddie. God Bless you all.
Vicki& family
We send our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I worked with Eddie for the past 28 years and still can’t believe that he’s gone. The “hey”, the chuckle, the many conversations that began with…”about a year ago I ran a guy” and ended with “Can you find that call?” It sometimes took hours but I was usually able to find the call. Why? Because I never wanted to disappoint Eddie. Knowing him made me a better dispatcher, a better supervisor, and a better person and for that I will always be thankful.
“There can be no friendship without confidence; and no confidence, without integrity”. Eddie’s presence in my life afforded me all three.
There are so many things I am going to miss about Eddie. From hearing his exaggerated sigh when he walked in the door, to his very informative roll calls each night he sat in “the chair” downstairs. Not only will I miss him at work, but I will miss the man who took me under his wing as a three gun shooter. I’ve never met such a man full of so much knowledge and experience. Vicki, you are right, he was very much like a father to me. I know not many other females can say that, but I am proud to say those words. I truly learned so much. May God be with you during this time. My heart aches for you.
Cpt Eddie Rhodes has and always will be a role model and inspiration to me during my career with the Pueblo Police Dept. I learned so much from him and would not be half the police officer I am today if it were not for him. I will never forget him and know that he will always be truly missed, God Bless and pour his grace upon his family. You served with great dedication and passion to the job you loved so much and I am proud to have had the chance to stand beside you during so many situations. Rest in peace Sir!!!
Words cannont express the sorrow I have in my heart. You were a leader, friend, and mentor. You made me a better cop and person. I will never forget the words “PUEBLO GO TO GUNS!”
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Eddie and I were children growing up next door neighbors and are former Bulldogs. Our families were close in that close village, and Lois “Annie” Roper raised him. Along with my mother and the other families in the 1000 block of east 5th. Lee Medina, Barbara Moreno Santillanes, Boyd Reeves, Mickie Galiz, Georgeann Maroney…You are our hero and I will miss you. Go rest High on that Mountain…brother; your life has just began. From your brother in Childhood, Brother in Blue, and Brother in arms…
Ed
My deepest condolences to Vicki and the family of Eddie Rhodes. Capt Rhodes was a wonderful person. He provided insight and education to me as City Council President and when I served on the Liquor board. He will be missed by many in Pueblo.
all the best to the Eddie Rhodes Family, God continue to bless your family. From a former Bulldog classmate and brother Peace Officer
Charles L Robles
Centennial Class of 1973
Our prayers are with the Family God Bless – Rest in peace Ed may the perpetual light shine upon your soul and may you rest in peace Amen. Ken and Anna Spinuzzi