York Town News
York Police Department's "Dr. Henry" recognized as outstanding volunteer
By Melissa Wood
Dr. Henry Guertin-Ouellette
His literally tireless dedication was recognized on Saturday night, Jan. 20, when the Maine Association of Police presented Guertin-Ouellette with the James J. Durant award, a statewide civilian volunteer award. He is the first York resident to receive the honor.
"Dr. Henry," as he is called, is a retired psychologist who volunteers as a consultant and chaplain with the York Police Department. He has served in this role for six years.
"I can be called anytime," said Guertin-Ouellette, who uses his professional expertise in psychology to assist members of the community coping with suicide, unattended deaths or other traumatic events.
He comforts people and explains police procedures. For example, under state law, unattended deaths are treated as crime scenes, making an already difficult time even harder on family members.
"People are very upset," said Guertin-Ouellette. "I help them understand."
He is the person police officers call when they need a comforting presence on-hand, such as when they have to let family members know about the death of a loved one in a car accident. One case in particular, Dr. Henry remembers as particularly traumatic because it involved a double fatality of two family members.
Guertin-Ouellette also looks after the interests of members of the department and their families, often checking on officers' wellbeing during and after major events and making himself available when an officer or family member needs to talk.
"I'm there for the officers and personnel if they're under stress or whatever it might be," said Guertin-Ouellette. "There are all kinds of different issues that can come up."
Last Saturday's honor was a surprise, since Guertin-Ouellette had been told that Chief Douglas Bracy would be receiving an award that night.
"I was going all around town," said Guertin-Ouellette, "telling people don't tell the chief, it's a secret."
He learned the truth when his name was called for the award.
"My gosh, I was stunned," said Guertin-Ouellette. "I really was. There's no doubt about it."
Guertin-Ouellette also represents the Police Department with social service agencies and the clergy of the town. He comes weekly to police briefings at the start of various shifts and is an active member of many community service organizations.
A press release from the York Police Department called his commitment "exceptional and unyielding."
Guertin-Ouellette has a doctorate in education from Boston University. Before retiring, he worked as the chairman of Emmanuel College in Boston for 26 years, was director of a mental health center in Manchester, N.H., and operated a private practice in York.
"Society's been good to me," he said, "and I wanted to give something back."
