Professional Experience

Hired in 2019 as the Safety and Security Specialist at WINK News. FBI Special Agent 1996-2017 serving in Atlanta, New York, FBI HQ and Quantico, VA. Served in the Navy, both on active duty and the reserve, retiring as a Commander in 2011.

News Philosophy

Work to help the citizens of SWFL keep their family, home, cyber, and finances safe and secure.

Hobbies & Interests

Flying, fishing & luge.

Education

Masters in Homeland Security from American Military University, Bachelors in Communications from the University of Miami.

Likes best about Southwest Florida

The people, along with the weather, and no DC traffic!

Hometown

Poughkeepsie, NY.

How to protect yourself from a carjacking

Would you know what to do if someone tried to carjack you? Fort Myers Police Department says the driver of an SUV was at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Six Mile Cypress on Tuesday, when the crook fired a gun and ordered the driver out. So how do you protect yourself? And most importantly, […]

Officers, students and dogs get active shooter training in Immokalee

An active shooter means chaos. But what happens when you add animals to the mix? And we got an exclusive look at important training that just wrapped up in Immokalee Thursday. Training for active shooters has become routine for law enforcement and citizens. But, now, canines are being added to the mix. From riding in […]

Coast Guard air crews and health service technicians are briefed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater before a C-130 flight to Andros Island in preparation for Hurricane Dorian response, Sept. 2, 2019. The Coast Guard prestages and relocates personnel and assets to be able to have a rapid post-storm response. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ayla Kelley.)

U.S. Coast Guard heads to Bahamas for Hurricane Dorian rescue operation

A U.S. Coast Guard C-130 took off early Tuesday morning from the air station in Clearwater heading to the Bahamas where several islands were severely damaged. The Hercules aircraft was loaded with medics, known as health services technicians in the Coast Guard, along with their professional equipment and vital supplies. They are being flown to […]

How Senior Federal Law Enforcement Officer’s step in when emergencies strike

When a storm threatens Florida, no matter where it hits, you’ll see first responders from all over the state head to the disaster area. WINK News Safety and Security Specialist Rich Kolko helped coordinate law enforcement response in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. The FBI responded after New Orleans Police Department virtually shutdown. They coordinated […]

How Florida Highway Patrol prepares for Hurricane Dorian, other emergencies

Most law enforcement throughout the state is always available to help out their neighbors in time of crisis, but that goes one step further for Florida Highway Patrol Troopers. Statutory requirements dictate that troopers are available to assist in times of a natural disaster and that is no different for any impending storm. Troopers working […]

Charlotte County first responders gear up for a long weekend

As first responders are gearing up for a long weekend, we spent some time with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to see how they plan to keep you safe. From the governor on down, we’re all being told to be prepared for Category 4 Hurricane Dorian, but are you prepared to live and work out […]

Preparing your boat for a hurricane

Southwest Florida, with its inland waterways and profusion of land slightly above sea-level, presents a particular vulnerability for boats during tropical storms and hurricanes. The geography here simply offers little protection. The keys to protecting your boat from hurricanes or any severe weather are planning, preparation and timely action. The following precautions and checklists are […]