An officer of the people
Lodi police officer Ryan Holz named city’s employee of the year
Officer Ryan Holz does more to serve the Lodi community than his daily patrols through the eastern portions of the city. He also serves as chairman of the board of the LOEL Senior Center and is heavily involved in helping the homeless population in the city.
“He’s a remarkable guy, the biggest man you’re ever going to meet who’s got a heart of gold,” said Steve Schwabauer, Lodi city manager.
Holz was recently named City Employee of the Year at the Annual Employee Recognition Dinner for his service to the community.
Lodi Police Chief Tod Patterson described Holz as a person of great empathy who is quick to volunteer and who has made a difference in the lives of several citizens, including those in the transient community he encounters during homeless camp sweeps.
“He know so many of them. He’s able to have good rapport with them,” Patterson said. “He’s the type of person we desperately need.”
Holz, originally from Livermore, has worked for the department since January 2005. He has served on patrol, as a school resource officer at Lodi High School from 2009 to 2014, rangemaster beginning in 2007 and field evidence technician beginning in 2008. He currently works on patrol and is called out to major incidents to help with the collection of evidence as needed.
What he has enjoyed about his job as an officer has been the interactions with the public and being able to help wherever he can, as well as working together with his fellow officers as a team.
“I’ve always been a people person. It’s what drew me to law enforcement,” Holz said.
How he got involved with helping the homeless was through Sgt. Steve Maynard, who sits on the city’s homeless committee. Maynard approached him about helping when a business was having problems with homeless people sleeping on its property. Holz got to work to try to find ways to remedy the situation and began researching what resources the city has to offer to help homeless people, he said. While he recognizes that he can’t help everyone, he has encountered people who were just living on the edge of economic collapse when they lost a job and became homeless. They need someone to help them get back on track, he said.
“We’re here to enforce, but we’re also here to help. I try to treat them just like anyone else. They’re human beings,” Holz said.
After his grandmother passed away, Holz was inspired to help his elders by volunteering with the LOEL Senior Center. His grandmother really enjoyed visiting senior centers to socialize and he wanted to do something in a way to remember her and show his respect. He now serves as chairman of the board at LOEL, leading monthly meetings and taking part in putting together the big Christmas party the center holds every year.
“What I enjoy the most is getting to talk to the seniors and picking their brain about what they like about the center and what they don’t,” he said.
Holz is married and has two English Bulldogs, which he described as his children. He and his wife enjoy traveling, going wine tasting and socializing with friends.
He is grateful for the honor of being City Employee of the Year.
“It’s humbling, because I know there are a lot of great employees in this city. Even being considered is an honor,” he said.