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Bruce Oliver, police officer making a difference
at BC every day, enters alumni Hall of Fame
Release Date: June 30, 2008
Bruce Oliver — a detective, school resource officer, coach, teacher, friend, father and colleague – is a man of many titles. On Friday, May 27 he added a new one — hall of famer.
Detective Oliver, assigned by the Bethlehem Police Department as the full-time resource officer to the Bethlehem Central School District, made up the 2008 class of the Bethlehem Central High School Hall of Fame. Oliver, a 1980 graduate of BCHS, was officially inducted at the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2008 at the SEFCU Arena on the University at Albany campus.
The district created the Alumni Hall of Fame in the fall of 2004, after months of discussion between the district and community organization about the importance of recognizing graduates for their achievements after they leave BC. Induction is based on nominee’s professional accomplishments and their contributions made in their fields and to the lives of others since graduation. Nominations can be made by any member of the Bethlehem Central community.
“Bruce Oliver’s pride in, and loyalty to, the town he grew up in resonated with the Hall of Fame Committee,” said committee Chairman Scott Landry, BCHS vice principal. “It was noted by many that wherever Bruce is, and whatever role he is in at the time, when both students and adults approach him, he makes them feel important.”
“Bruce Oliver is an extraordinary police officer and individual,” BC Superintendent Les Loomis said. “He represents all the best in law enforcement — strength and courage, balanced by understanding and sensitivity. I have seen him touch the lives of hundreds of students in very positive ways. His integrity and impact models everything the community looks for in BC graduates.”
Detective Oliver joined the Bethlehem Police Department in 1986. He became the district’s full-time resource officer in 1999, and was promoted to detective in 2003. He has also served as a volunteer coach for various Bethlehem recreation and district sports teams for more than two decades.
As school resource officer, Detective Oliver is considered a full-time staff member at Bethlehem Central Middle School, according to Assistant Principal Sandy Morley, who works closely with Detective Oliver. He has taught classes at both BCHS and BCMS ranging from Family and Consumer Sciences to Social Studies and Health; presented to faculty, student and parent audiences on the topic of Internet safety; counseled students and parents regarding legal and behavioral issues; co-coordinated the district’s Comprehensive Safety Plan with Ms. Morley; and attended school functions such as dances and athletic contests.
“Bruce’s presence in the school is one of a respected colleague first, and a police officer second,” Ms. Morley said. “He is an exceptional resource for the staff and students in our school and our district. He is kid-centered and direct but compassionate and caring in terms of helping students grow and achieve.”
“Induction into the Hall of Fame is not based on net worth or national acclaim,” Mr. Landry added. “In Bruce’s case, it is what he has done for this community. He is a fixture in Bethlehem — he does his work like no other.”
Detective Oliver is the 7th BC graduate to enter the Alumni Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame Class of 2006 was former New York State Supreme Court Justice Joseph R. Cannizzaro, '72, Richard Jadick, '83, an osteopathic physician who, as a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, is credited with saving the lives of more than 30 Marines on a tour of duty in Iraq; and Eva Marie Saint, '42, an Academy Award-winning actress who played graceful leading ladies in many films starting in the 1950s.
The inaugural inductees who entered the Hall of Fame in 2005 were community activist Jo-Carol Block Davidson, '74; former president of NBC News Neal Shapiro, '76; and Captain Dennis E. Fitzpatrick, '76, commanding officer of the USS John F. Kennedy.
Due to a lack of nominations, there were no Hall of Fame inductees in 2007. However, this year the Hall of Fame Committee successfully launched an online nomination form to ease the process. This nomination form will be available in the fall of 2008 as the committee looks toward inducting a Class of 2009.
The committee is also moving forward with plans for a permanent exhibit at the High School where Hall of Fame members will be honored.