American Legion to present Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award posthumously to Cody Holte

Pamela D. Knudson, Grand Forks Herald
·2 min read

Jun. 15—The local American Legion Post 6 will present the statewide 2020 Ray Atol Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award, posthumously, to Cody Holte on Saturday, June 19, at Veterans Memorial Park in Grand Forks.

At the ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m., Holte's widow, Amanda Holte, and his brother Brady Holte and his sister Alexis Holte are expected to accept the award on his behalf.

Because parking is very limited, guests are encouraged to park in the north lot of the former Sears store at Columbia Mall, where shuttle bus service will be provided about every seven minutes from 8:45-11:45 a.m.

Guests are also encouraged to bring their own lawnchairs, if they prefer to be seated during the ceremony.

Michael Brown, commander of the American Legion Post 6, will serve as master of ceremonies. The presentation of colors will be conducted by Grand Forks Air Force Base Color Guard.

Music will be provided by Cory Driscoll, a faculty member of UND's music department, and his quintet, the Northern Plains Brass.

During the ceremony, Amanda Holte will receive a framed citation, which reads: "2020 Law Enforcement Certificate of Commendation presented posthumously to Officer Cody N. Holte of the Grand Forks Police Department — This Commendation is Awarded for Outstanding Public Services Benefiting Our Community, State and National, presented by The American Legion Department of North Dakota this 19th Day of June 2021."

The American Legion Post 6 has purchased a granite block, engraved with Holte's name, military branch and dates of service, for the family and installed it along the walkway, which is lined with similar blocks commemorating others' loved ones at the park.

Holte was shot and killed May 27, 2020 while responding to a call for emergency assistance as law enforcement officers were attempting to serve eviction-related paperwork at a south Grand Forks apartment building.

Holte had worked three years, three months with the Grand Forks Police Department and was a member of the Grand Forks County Sheriff's Office Regional Water Rescue Team. He enlisted in the Army Reserve in 2010 and, in 2015, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the North Dakota Army National Guard in which he served until the time of his death.

Veterans Memorial Park is located at the intersection of 34th Street and 24th Avenue North.

For more information, go to www.grandforksamericanlegionpost6.org or https://www.facebook.com/GFAmericanLegionPost6 .