Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
SANTA FE – An on-duty call changed Albuquerque police officer Ryan Holets’ life in 2017 and led to him landing on the national political stage Tuesday.
Holets, a nine-year APD veteran, spoke remotely to the Republican National Convention about how he and his wife adopted the baby of a pregnant woman with a heroin addiction he met while responding to a call about drug use.
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.
In a roughly four-minute speech, Holets said that the baby is now a “thriving” 2-year old and that the girl’s biological mother is approaching three years of recovery.
“I hold a special place in my heart for those facing opioid addiction,” Holets said, while describing the biological mother as a close friend and inspiration.
In his speech, Holets touted President Donald Trump’s actions in addressing the opioid crisis, citing a public health emergency the president declared in 2017 and an infusion of federal funding.
However, after drug overdose deaths decreased nationwide in 2018, they increased by about 6.6% in 2019, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Holets, who said Trump was the “right president at the right time,” spoke to the RNC remotely and informed Albuquerque Police Chief Michael Geier of his plans for the Tuesday speech in advance.
“He will not be in uniform and will be representing himself and his family’s story of adoption,” APD spokesman Gilbert Gallegos told the Journal this week.
Holets was also a guest of President Trump and first lady Melania Trump at the president’s 2018 State of the Union address.
Meanwhile, the Albuquerque police detective is the latest in a string of New Mexicans to speak at the national political conventions that are taking place in the run-up to the November general election.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., both delivered remote prime-time speeches to the Democratic National Convention last week.
In addition, two top Navajo Nation officials took part in the conventions.
Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer spoke Tuesday to the RNC from Shiprock, and Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez addressed the DNC last week.
The Republican National Convention runs through Thursday.
