Shooting victim honored for heroic actions and service to community

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A City of Fresno parks worker who was shot by gang gunfire while protecting a child was honored today for his service to the community.

Massive applause was heard at Fresno's City Council chambers today as friends, coworkers, family members and city officials cheered for Dave Harvey. The City Parks and Recreation employee was helping children at the Frank H Ball Recreation Center like he does every day, when gang gunfire erupted outside.

Fresno City Manager Bruce Rudd said to the audience, "The children he has helped mentor each and every day heard the gunshots ring out."

Dave Harvey describes what happened, saying, "A parent said 'Hey my baby, my baby is by the door' and I seen the little boy and I just opened up the door and reached and got him and just got wounded, that's all."

Harvey downplays his role in helping save an 8-year old child from being shot, insisting he's only a little sore from the bullet grazing his hand. Dave Harvey's name was already on the agenda today to be awarded for his outstanding leadership and service to the community. Then, officials wanted to acknowledge his heroic actions Wednesday afternoon.

Harvey says, "It was inside and a lot of parents said 'Hey there's gunfire out there' - bam, bam, bam, bam and I just seen the little boy and I just had to do what I had to do."

The humble man was emotional as people cheered for him and too mdoest to get up during a standing ovation.

During his award ceremony, city officials announced "David is a highly regarded role model who is an excellent professional and is deserving of this recognition. Congratulations, David!"

Parks and Recreation supervisor Kyle Jeffcoach says, "He's been with the city for 39 years so it's very well-deserved and it was coming prior to anything that happened yesterday."

Harvey says he was born to work with kids and loves trying to encourage them every day.

He told us, "I just want to be a positive influence with all the kids before I leave and retire so that's my main thing is to be there for them at all times."

Dave Harvey says he didn't even realize he had been shot until he went inside and a coworker pointed it out to him.

Harvey is not back at work yet as he's still recovering from his injuries. He tells us he looks forward to getting back to the Frank H Ball Recreation Center and working with the children again soon.