Pratt to receive state’s highest honor

El Reno native Harvey Pratt will receive the state’s highest honor.

A member of the 2021 Oklahoma Hall of Fame class, he will be formally inducted Nov. 18 at the Cox Business Convention Center in Tulsa.

But on Nov. 9, Gov. Kevin Stitt will present the 44th Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Awards. During the ceremony, Pratt will receive the Special Recognition Award, given for making a unique contribution to support the arts. Open to the public, the ceremony begins at 4 p.m. in the state Capitol’s fourth floor rotunda.

“I’m really honored that they would induct me into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame,” Pratt said. “Somebody submitted my name in 2007, and I didn’t get it. I don’t know who submitted my name this time. I’m really proud of this. My kids and my whole family are excited. And the Cheyenne and Arapaho people have been so excited, and calling me and saying, ‘You make us proud.’ It’s important that people know I came from such a humble background, as one of seven kids raised by a single mother. People need to know if I can persevere, others can do it also. I want kids to say, ‘Well look at him. He made it.’ Kids need to know that. I feel like I’ve done something good for humanity.”

Unanimously chosen from 413 submissions from five countries, Pratt won the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian’s international contest to design the American Indian National Native American Veterans Memorial, commissioned by the U.S. Congress. Unveiled Nov. 2020, Pratt’s architectural memorial, “Warrior’s Circle of Honor,” is the only monument or memorial designed by an Oklahoman on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Pratt included Oklahoma talent in the creation and construction of his design.

A military veteran, Pratt’s law enforcement career spanned throughout 50 years, and included a career in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation from 1972 to 2017. He served as a forensic artist, a narcotics investigator, and in criminal investigations, administration and criminal records and information divisions, and he served in the positions of assistant and interim director.

A trailblazer, Pratt was the first to sketch color composite drawings with colored pencils. He developed an interview technique for witnesses and victims, as well.

Pratt was also a pioneer in soft-tissue reconstruction. He made 2,000 soft tissue reconstructions. Ranked as a top U.S. forensic artist, his cases spanned the “who’s who” of high-profile criminals. His work resulted in thousands of arrests and identification of hundreds of unidentified remains.

The list of Pratt’s accolades is endless. An award-winning Cheyenne and Arapaho artist, he was also chosen as a member of the Council of 44 Cheyenne peace chiefs in 1996.

He has been inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame, the OSBI Hall of Fame, serves as chairman of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for the Department of the Interior, and was named Oklahoma Ambassador of Creativity, along with many other recognitions.

“I’ve never pursued this kind of stuff,” Pratt said. “Stuff just happens to me. I just try to do what I’m supposed to do, and I’m just trying to be me, and do a good job.”

Founded in 1927, the OHOF was created to honor Oklahomans who have given outstanding service to the state. This is the 94th year for the awards.

People can view the induction at 3 p.m. Nov. 20 and at 10 a.m. Nov. 21 on OETA. Local listings are advised to be checked for Cox customers.