Joseph David Passalaqua

Joseph David (Joe) Passalaqua, Army Retired CW-2 and JPSO Retired Col, of River Ridge, Louisiana, passed away on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the age of 93. He was born on May 11, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, to Antonino Passalaqua and Carmela Loiocano Passalaqua. Joseph, known to all as Joe, grew up in Hoxie, Arkansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Jennie Ferraro Passalaqua,

his siblings, brothers: Ross, Nicholas, Tom, Pete, Hank and Anthony, sisters: Mary Richardson and Eleanor Clark, his daughter, Darlene P. Schexnayder, sisters-

in-law, Theresa Ferraro and Frances Taylor, and son-in-law, Kip Kreutz.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Kim Bourgeois Passalaqua, for 37 years. His children: Diann Kreutz, David Passalaqua, Kendall Passalaqua(Bailey), Megan Parker(James Jr.), Brother-in-law, Ferdie Schexnayder, his grandchildren: Jason and Christopher Schexnayder, Nicholas Kreutz, James Parker, III, and great-granddaughter, Hanah Bancovitch.

Joe enlisted in the Army, on March 13, 1948, as a secretive "under-age boy of 15". Within his 26 years of service, he was a military policeman, in occupied Kobe, Kyoto, Japan. On July 4, 1951 he became a soldier in the Korean War. After, he was stationed at Camp Leroy Johnson, Kaiserselautren, Germany and Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. In San Antonio, he occasionally had details protecting President Lyndon B. Johnson. He became an Army Criminal Investigator, and then was stationed at Camp Red Cloud, in Uijongbu, South Korea. There he drove President Lyndon B. Johnson and also helped organize and support a local children's orphanage. Joe was then stationed at Fort Polk, LA, where he earned his high school diploma, through Warren Easton High School and his college degree. He was then appointed to the Criminal Investigation Division and was sent to Washington, DC. There, he investigated the Mi Lai Massacre and the Jeffery McDonald/Green Beret cases, to name a few. Moving up in the ranks, he was assigned as personal security for the Secretary of Defense, protecting both Elliot Richardson and Melvin Laird.

Through his distinguished career in the military, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, as well as other medals and awards. Joe retired from the military in 1973, as a Chief Warrant Officer-2, at the age of 41.

In 1974, Joe joined the Jefferson Parish Police Department and was assigned as a crime scene photographer. As part of his many investigations, he was part of the investigation and recovery at the crash site of Pan Am Flight 759 in 1982. When he retired from JPSO, on Dec. 31, 1999, he achieved the rank of "Colonel" and was in command of the entire Crime Scene Services Division. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with family and friends. He loved being at his summer home on Bayou Barataria, that he and family members built. He enjoyed watching LSU and the Saints games, as well as woodworking including making custom designed furniture, doll houses, castles, and anything that sparked his interest. Joe was a member of the Lee 500 Club, St. Matthew Dads' Club, and the Lafitte Yacht Club. He is also a member of VUMS, where Joe is recognized in the Veterans of Underage Military Services book, "AMERICA'S YOUNGEST WARRIORS", volume II.

Joe will be remembered for his love and devotion to family and friends, his wisdom, discipline, and humor. He always had time to listen to anyone. The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses who worked with Joe in his last days.

Family and friends are invited to attend the service on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic church, 10021 Jefferson Hwy. River Ridge, LA. 70123. Visitation will begin at 10:30 AM with Mass at 12:30 PM . Burial will be immediately after at St. John Memorial Gardens, 2205 W Airline Hwy. LaPlace, LA. 70068.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations, in Joe's name, be sent to:

Shriner's Children's Hospital-Galveston, Office of Philanthropy, 815 Market Street, Galveston, TX 77550 or St. Jude’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 50 Memphis, TN 38101-9927