Mike Delfino's Obituary
- Dwight “Joe” Joseph, age 70, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Friday, August 13, 2010. He was born in Columbus, on February 4, 1940, to the late Dwight W. and Lena Joseph; raised by Dale and Lena Logan. Joe began a long and illustrious career with Columbus Police Department in 1961. He followed in his Father’s footsteps working his way up through the ranks, becoming Chief of Police in 1983. He held the Chief’s position until his retirement in 1990. He was a member of several organizations; including the Retired Police Chiefs Association of Central Ohio, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club. Joe and Babette loved to spend time with their grandchildren. His family will forever miss his warmth, companionship and great sense of humor. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Babette; children, Richard (Christy) Joseph, Leora (Paul) Peterson of Wyoming; sisters, Claudia (John) Andrix of Florida, Sandi (Chuck) Miller of Florida; grandchildren, Cody, Caitlyn, Aurora, Justin, Amy, Danielle and Jalynn; great grandchildren, Kember and Donovin; special sister-in-law, Margaret (Richard) Evans, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank a very special friend, James Rutter. The family would also like to thank Licking County Hospice for the wonderful care Joe received. Family will receive friends at the SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL 1051 E. Johnstown RD. (at Beecher RD.) Gahanna, 43230 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM, Tuesday, August 17, 2010, with a Funeral Service immediately following at 6:00 PM. Pastor Melodie Rezac, officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Joe’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Trinity United Church of Christ, 20 West South St., Thornville, OH 43076. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Joe.
Additional comments:
Joseph's rise through the ranks was swift as he did turns as a detective in narcotics and vice before rising to captain and then deputy chief. He became chief at age 43 in April 1983.
His seven years as chief coincided with most of the term of former Mayor Dana G. "Buck" Rinehart.
"He was truly a cop's cop. He watched out for his guys, I mean at all costs, no matter what," Rinehart said yesterday.
Rinehart said Joseph was instrumental in the planning and construction of the police headquarters at 120 Marconi Blvd. Downtown. Joseph also helped implement the D.A.R.E. anti-drug program in city schools and helped devise the ingress and egress plans for managing traffic at Ohio State University football games.
"We had people come here from all over the country to study how we got 100,000 vehicles or 90,000 vehicles in and out of an area like that," Rinehart said. "That was the kind of leadership Dwight Joseph provided."
Babette Joseph said her husband was proudest of his work with the D.A.R.E. program and the horse patrol.
When he was chief, Joseph unfailingly turned up when his officers were injured or some crisis threatened, Rinehart said.
Rinehart recalled scrambling early one morning in 1989 to a large Downtown fire and learning that Joseph had beaten him there once again.
"He was like Spider-Man. He was just everywhere, everywhere he needed to be," Rinehart said. "He really believed in protecting the people of Columbus. He really, truly believed that, in his heart."
The job was demanding and Joseph chose to leave the force at age 50, saying that "seven years is enough for one man to serve as a major city chief."
Joseph left law enforcement and never looked back. He ran his own graphics business, Design Concepts, out of his home until his recent illness.
In addition to his wife of 30 years, he is survived by a son and daughter, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Schoedinger Northeast Chapel, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd. in Gahanna. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
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