CBS 12's Extraordinary People: WPB Officer of the Year Shamir Bolivar

Story By: Michele Wright / CBS 12 News
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.-- Everyday the dedicated men & women of law enforcement here in South Florida keep our families, streets and communities safe. We thank them all for their sacrifice and service. This week we salute West Palm Beach Officer of the Year Shamir Bolivar.

Nominated by fellow officers and honored at a special ceremony by the West Palm Beach Rotary Club.

WPB Officer of the Year Shamir Bolivar: "This was my 2nd honored event. 1st one being this agency City of West Palm and yesterday at the Rotary Club which was a tremendous turnout. We got so much love. It was incredible to see the community recognize my achievements and my contributions to the city."

Humbled and honored all at the same time, he feels very fortunate.

Officer Bolivar: "I  truly, truly, truly appreciate the job. And truly appreciate what it is I do. I share this award with my fellow brothers and sisters in the department. West Palm Beach is an impressive, innovative department that is primarily focused on creating change. Guys like myself who do what we do everyday, we just...facilitate that change."

Officer Bolivar tells CBS 12's Michele Wright that the West Palm Police Department is a law enforcement agency focused on excellence, integrity, safety & community outreach.

"First and foremost my main ideology as a police officer is to take ownership of the community. I play catch with the kids at Sullivan Park. I do workouts and pullups. I basically imbed myself and let them know I'm just like them. And that aside from the uniform, I'm a man, I'm a father and a husband and I'm here to serve them and help them. At the end of the day I want them to see me as someone who can be a positive inspiration to whatever it is that they want to do."

"I honestly feel that West Palm is one of the best cities in the country. I've lived other places, I've worked other places. We have a community that shows up to meetings, and that are totally motivated on creating that change that I spoke about. They are so helpful."

"People think that we as police officers are super crime fighters, but if it wasn't for the community we wouldn't solve 65% of the crimes that are actually solved so I thank them."

Once a football player, Officer Bolivar says he now gets to make a difference with his 2nd passion. And it all started when he was younger.

"My family growing up in New York every Thursday night we would sit around the TV and watch Miami Vice. Growing up in New York with the cold winters  I dreamed about driving those Ferrari's, working long term investigations, fighting crime, chasing bad guys while looking good."
 
He says he hopes his life inspires others. But at the end of the day..

"I'm no different than the others guys that show up to work. And draw the blacks and whites or work the specialized units like I do. We're all here to do the same job. To positively create that change and make the city a better place to live."

"It means that much more to know that when I show up to work and walk out that door I leave my wife and 3 kids at home and that I have brothers and sisters who will watch my back and protect me".

"An award such as this where I'm nominated and voted Officer of the Year is something I truly share with everyone else here at the department. And police officers all over the country".

CBS 12 salutes all the men and women in law enforcement.

Special thanks to Polisena Photography for the West Palm Beach Rotary Club ceremony images.

If you know an extraordinary person or extraordinary people making a positive difference in South Florida, email Michele Wright at mwright@cbs12.com, tweet her HERE or submit your nomination on-line below. We'd love to hear about it.

CLICK HERE to fill out a submission formCBS 12's Extraordinary People: WPB Officer of the Year Shamir Bolivar

Friday, February 15 2013, 03:23 PM EST