He and his wife, Valorie, live in Portage and have three children.

Attended South Suburban College, Indiana University Northwest and Columbia College.

Graduate of Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

Employed by City of Portage for about seven years.

Accomplishments: Master Patrolman Scott Harmeling was named 2007 Officer of the Year by the Portage Police Department. He received a life-saving award from the department earlier in the year which led to his nomination and being awarded the top honor. Harmeling works the day or afternoon shifts enforcing criminal and traffic law and answering calls that range from 911 and vehicle identification number checks to motor vehicle accidents, thefts, burglaries or death investigations. He responds to ambulance calls if police assistance is needed and does accident reconstruction for the department. As part of the four-man crash team, they reconstruct crash scenes when motor vehicle accidents result in serious bodily injury or death. Harmeling is a field training officer as well. New hires and graduates of the academy work with three different field training officers for a period, anywhere from two to five weeks to experience different styles of police work and become acclimated with the job.

"I like Portage because it gives you a good blend of different police work," he said.

Personal hero: "I admire Bono for his humanitarian work. I find that inspiring."

What I read: "Mostly nonfiction. I read about science, astronomy, finances and stocks."

Advice: "Don't take yourself too seriously."

Best thing about my job: "The variety of things you experience and knowing that you're providing a fundamental need for society."

People might be surprised to know: "I used to do amateur stand-up comedy."

-SUE BERO, Times Correspondent

To nominate a civil servant for this feature, e-mail slbero@hotmail.com