HOLLAND (WHTC) — Holland’s Department of Public Safety announced its annual police officer and firefighter of the year honors. Chief Matt Messer says the awards go to firefighter Jim Ruiz and Office Joe Slenk. Messer said annual honors are one way to show the public that police officers and firefighters are regular people dedicated to their jobs.
“We’re out there to serve, to protect the community and to show pride for our community,” said Chief Matt Messer. “I think it’s important they realize that we’re human beings too. We’re just like they are. We want to work with them and not against them.”
Firefighter Jim Ruiz, a 29 year veteran of the department, started his career with the Holland Fire Department in 1987 as a paid on call firefighter. In 19-97 he became one of Holland’s full time Firefighter/EMTs. He was among Holland’s first Community Involvement Firefighters and helped develop positive relationships with the city’s students and staff.
Among the hazard safety education programs he helped create are the “Urban Survival” and “Safe at Home.”
His sense of department pride, attention to detail, pursuit of excellence and customer focus were among the qualities cited by his peers and supervisors, who also noted Ruiz’s excellent work ethic.
Ruiz is currently assigned to the Waverly Road Fire Station.
Slenk, started his career with the Holland Police Department in 2001 after graduating from Grand Rapids Community College with an Associates degree in Criminal Justice.
He’s been a patrol officer, evidence technician, WEMET detective, and is currently assigned to the K-9 Team with his partner the Hungarian German Shepherd “Henry,” who is 9 years old.
Officer Slenk currently serves on the Special Enforcement Team and is a field training officer for the department. He is married and the father of three daughters.
