SANTA FE — An Albuquerque police officer whose life changed during the course of an on-duty call will address the Republican National Convention on Wednesday.
Ryan Holets, who has worked for the Albuquerque Police Department for nine years, will speak on the same day as Vice President Mike Pence, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and other GOP officials, according to an RNC schedule.
In 2017, Holets and his wife adopted the baby of a pregnant women with a heroin addiction that he met while responding to a call about drug use behind a convenience store.
The baby, Hope, was born with heroin and crystal meth in her system and had to endure detox for about two weeks, suffering withdrawal symptoms.
Holets, whose story got national attention, was also a guest of President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at the president’s 2018 State of the Union address.
An APD spokesman said Holets had informed Police Chief Michael Geier he will record his speech remotely and will focus his remarks on the country’s opioid epidemic.
“He will not be in uniform and will be representing himself and his family’s story of adoption,” APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.
New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce officially cast the state’s 22 delegate votes for Trump during the opening day of the RNC on Monday.
Meanwhile, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer is also scheduled to speak during the four-day RNC. The Navajo Nation’s president Jonathan Nez addressed the Democratic National Convention last week.
