When members of the Halethorpe community have an issue and need to get in touch with a police officer, Tom Warehime has been their man.
And on Tuesday night, the community thanked him.
Warehime, who is in his sixth year as the community liaison officer for Halethorpe and Arbutus for the county police, was honored by the Halethorpe Civic League Association and the Halethorpe Improvement Association during the groups' joint National Night Out event at the Halethorpe Civic Center.
A regular attendee of the Halethorpe Improvement Association's meetings, Warehime helps build a relationship between the community and law enforcement, according to Carol Mox, president of the Halethorpe Improvement Association.
"He's our guy," she said. "He's willing to listen to our concerns and that's what you want."
Warehime, 60, has been with the Baltimore County Police Department for 14 years.
He was honored to receive the recognition.
"We've done a lot of great things with this community," he said, referring to the cleanliness of the park, the presence of a Citizens on Patrol organization and the growth of the community groups. "There's a lot of progress out here."
Warehime decided to be a community liaison officer because he felt it was a way he could impact the community in a positive way. He has enjoyed working with community members and taking on the challenges the opportunity provides.
"It's the hardest I've ever worked but it's the most enjoyment I've had," he said.
About 125 people attended the event, including Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, state delegates Clarence Lam and Eric Ebersole and Tom Quirk, the county councilman for the area.
Also honored were Dennis Miner and Edward Collic for their contributions to the community.
Since its inception in 1984, National Night Out — an event to promote community policing held on the first Tuesday in August — has grown from 2.7 million Americans participating in 400 communities in 23 states to more than 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all 50 states, United States territories, Canadian cities, and military bases around the world.
In a time when there has been increased publicity of shootings between police and African-American men, Halethorpe Civic League Association President Otis Collins said recognizing Warehime is a way to show the community's appreciation.
"He's a law enforcement officer and we respect law enforcement officers in this community," he said. "He helps us resolve problems."
Capt. Donna Benton, commander of the Wilkens precinct where Warehime is based, said his patience and positive disposition make him a good fit for the role he has. She was one of several from the precinct who came to support her officer.
"Sometimes people might not have the crime of the century, but to them it's the most important thing going on in their world," she said. "He gives everybody equal respect and listens to their problems and treats them like they are just as important as the major crimes."