The West Hartford Exchange Club honored a member of the West Hartford Police Department and the West Hartford Fire Department at its Public Safety Night.

By Ronni Newton

The West Hartford Exchange Club held its annual Public Safety Night at Rockledge Grille on April 2, honoring one member of the West Hartford Police Department and one member of the West Hartford Fire Department who had been chosen by their peers.

For 2025, Ofc. Robert Potz was recognized as the West Hartford “Police Officer of the Year,” while Firefighter/Paramedic Ryan Kelleher was named the Exchange Club’s “Firefighter of the Year.”

It was quick action taken while off-duty that led to the recognition this year for Kelleher, a member of the West Hartford Fire Department since 2018.

Kelleher came across a serious two-vehicle crash on Route 6 in Hampton while on his way to the AO Academy on Jan. 15, 2025, Deputy Chief Russell Duffy said, as he read the selection committee’s recommendation letter. One of the vehicles was still occupied – and it was an urgent and dangerous scenario.

Kelleher, “without hesitation, stopped at the scene, contacted emergency services, and took immediate action to ensure the safety of the accident victim by swiftly and safely removing them from their vehicle to prevent harm,” states the proclamation issued to Kelleher by Mayor Shari Cantor, recognizing the Firefighter of the Year honor.

After ensuring the occupant’s safety, Kelleher was able to obtain a fire extinguisher from a tractor tractor trailer, and successfully extinguish the blaze.

Fire Chief Greg Priest said the department’s firefighters do an incredible job, and part of what led to the choice of Kelleher for the honor included his “attitude, work ethic, competencies, and generally just how he conducts himself on and off duty.” In their choice, Priest said, the department members and committee “just tend to really values situations where heroic acts are conducted when it can’t be written off as ‘doing your job.'”

Potz has been a member of the West Hartford Police Department since 2018, following four years of active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps and a stint with the Department of Labor. He has been a Field Training Officer, trustee of the West Hartford Police Officer Association Union Executive Board, and currently serves as the department’s court liaison and is pursuing his master’s degree in criminal justice.

He was selected for the contributions he has made in his current position, and the proclamation notes that he has “fostered effective working relationships with members of various law enforcement and court agencies, leading to collaborative efforts in combatting crime in West Hartford.” He has been commended for his performance and work ethic in his current position, sets an example, and helps others in many ways including taking holiday shifts so co-workers can spend time with their families.

Police Chief Vernon Riddick said he is very appreciative “that the selection committee picked Ofc. Potz. It’s historically … if you weren’t a SWAT Team person, or a CIT, or a Community Support – our version of the street crimes unit – or somebody’s who’s pulled over a million cars, you wouldn’t have an opportunity to receive this award.” The choice of Potz, Riddick said, “shows you the other aspects of policing,” and said he is one of the department’s greatest leaders of the new generation.

Riddick expressed his thanks for the holistic understanding of everything the department does.

Councilor Carol Blanks, who chairs the Town Council’s Public Safety Committee, read both the firefighter and police officer proclamations on behalf of the mayor, who prepared the proclamations but was unable to attend the event due to a funeral.

Both honorees were joined by family members and friends for Public Safety night.

“This may sound cliche, but I saw an issue, I stopped, and I just did what I was trained to do,” Kelleher said in accepting the award. He’s from a multigenerational firefighting family and “always happy to help,” he said, expressing his thanks to all.

Potz also thanked the Exchange Club, his colleagues, those who have trained and mentored him, and those from other departments who work with him in the Hartford court system. “I am incredibly grateful for the trust and confidence others have show in me and for the opportunity to serve this community alongside such dedicated colleagues who show the same commitment and values,” Potz said

Rusty Everett, who coordinates the annual event for the Exchange Club of West Hartford, and the club’s president, Mike Giglietti said honoring first responders is an important part of the club’s mission.

“I just have immense respect and appreciation for the police and fire departments. It takes a very special person to do what you guys do every day,” Giglietti said, noting that the words that come to mind when thinking about both are “selflessness, bravery, dedication, loyalty, sacrifice, and professionalism.” And there’s something special about West Hartford, where public safety plays a big part in the town’s consistently being rated the No. 1 place to live in the state.

“Every year I get blown away and truly touched by the quality of the people who are recognized,” Everett said.

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