 Former Commissioner of Public Safety Honored for a Life of Public Service August 16, 2002
Godfrey began his public safety career in 1970 and served the people of Alaska selflessly for the next 32 years. He served as a patrol Trooper in Anchorage, Juneau, and Northway before moving to Bethel, where he helped found the Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) program. He remained in Bethel as the detachment commander until 1983, when he moved to Anchorage to serve on the director's staff. In 1985, Godfrey became the VPSO Coordinator for the state, a position he maintained after being promoted to captain in 1987. In 1991, Godfrey was promoted to major and served as deputy director of the Alaska State Troopers. He was promoted to colonel and appointed director of the Alaska State Troopers in January 1995, a position he held for more than five years. In August 2000, Gov. Tony Knowles selected Mr. Godfrey as the new commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, where he served until his retirement on June 30. The first Public Safety Commissioner who began his career as a rookie Trooper and moved up through the ranks to the top spot, Godfrey was also the first Alaska Native to serve as Public Safety Commissioner. As Commissioner, he consistently championed law enforcement in rural Alaska. Through the Village Public Safety Officer program and the Regional Public Safety Officer program, among others, Godfrey found many ways to provide public safety services even in remote villages. Rural Alaska was Godfrey's passion. He returned as often as he could to Kodiak's rivers - the Afognak and Karluk - for energy and inspiration. After 32 distinguished years serving the people of Alaska, he was looking forward to continued service to his community as the chairman and senior executive officer of Koniag, the regional corporation based in his hometown of Kodiak. He had been a member of the Koniag board of directors since 1989, and board chairman since 1996. Godfrey, 53, is survived by his wife of 35 years, Patricia; children Glenn Jr., Valery, Jenna and Gerad; and 13 grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on August 16 at the Anchorage Baptist Temple. Gov. Knowles, his wife Susan, and Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer will attend the service, where Knowles plans to speak to the gathering about his nearly 20-year friendship with Godfrey. In recognition of his service to the State of Alaska, Gov. Tony Knowles has ordered state flags lowered to half-staff on Friday, August 16, in honor of Trooper Col. and former Commissioner of Public Safety Glenn Godfrey, Sr. Flags may be returned to full staff at the end of the business day.
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