Bloomfield police officer lauded for his 'extra' efforts to serve the public

Bloomfield Town Council member Joann Carmichael likes to joke around a lot and can be very colorful in some of her remarks -- even in a public meeting.

But Wednesday night she was dead-on serious when she called Bloomfield Deputy Town Marshal Lt. Harvey Holt a hero.

"Harvey is my hero," she stated to open the regular meeting of the town council. "Harvey went on a run for my minister. He did CPR and did a great job in saving his life."

Carmichael explained that Holt acted above and beyond the call of duty last weekend when he responded in the early morning hours to a call at the home of the Rev. Kevin Raidy, the minister at the Bloomfield United Methodist Church.

Raidy needed CPR, she said.

He was stabilized and then transported to the hospital.

"I want to just thank Harvey. The church thanks Harvey. We really appreciate what he did and Terry Jackson and everybody from the fire department. You guys did a great job and we (the town council) really, really appreciate it," Carmichael commented.

Rev. Raidy also is very thankful for the service of Holt and other first responders who came to his aid.

"I'm just thankful for the women and men serving this community. This is an example of the fine service they are providing to the people of this county. I thank God for their service," he told the Greene County Daily World.

Town council president Aaron Hamm also said that he recently had a good report on Holt's on-the-job actions.

Hamm pointed out that he recently got a telephone call about another outstanding act that was performed by Holt.

He explained that Holt was called on to provide a funeral escort for a boy who had died.

"Harvey blocked the road and he was out there in his Class A uniform. I was told many people were choked up over that seeing that he actually took the time to put his Class A uniform on, even to just do something simple," Hamm explained. "It's appreciated."

Holt, who was sitting in the back of the meeting room, simply smiled and said, "Thank you." to both council members.

Holt was hired in July 2007 and serves as the department's K-9 officer and handler for the Belgian Malinois, Dristan.

It's simply refreshing to hear public officials pat their employees on the back when they do a good job.

Congratulations to officer Holt and the others on a job well done.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com .