Harvey Pratt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harvey Pratt
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| Born | April 13, 1941 El Reno, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Died | December 31, 2025 (aged 84) |
| Occupation | Forensic artist |
| Years active | 1972-2017 |
| Known for | Soft tissue postmortem drawing |
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Notable work
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National Native American Veterans Memorial |
Harvey Phillip Pratt (April 13, 1941 – December 31, 2025) was a talented Native American forensic artist. He was a proud member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho nations. For over 40 years, Pratt worked in law enforcement. He created a special drawing method to help identify people. His artwork helped police agencies around the world. He also shared his traditional Native American art in many places.
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Who Was Harvey Pratt?
Harvey Pratt was born in El Reno, Oklahoma, on April 13, 1941. His parents were Oscar Noble Pratt and Anna Guerrier Pratt Shadlow. His mother, Anna, was named the National Indian Woman of the Year in 1987. Harvey was a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes. His family had a rich history. He was the great-grandson of Edmund Guerrier, a scout and interpreter. Edmund was also a survivor of the Sand Creek massacre. Harvey was also the great-great-grandson of William Bent, an American frontiersman.
A Special Artist for Law Enforcement
Pratt started his career as a police officer in Midwest City, Oklahoma, in 1965. He made his first composite drawing there. This drawing helped police catch and convict a suspect. In 1972, he joined the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). He retired from the OSBI in 2017. However, he continued as a full-time forensic artist for many years.
How Forensic Art Helps Investigations
In the mid-1980s, Pratt developed a unique method. It was called the soft tissue postmortem drawing method. With this method, an artist draws on a photograph of a victim. This helps to make the image clearer. It can restore how a person might have looked. This makes the picture more helpful for police or the public. It helps them identify people who are unknown.
Pratt's work was very important in many major investigations. These included the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. For his amazing work, he was honored. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame in 2012. He also joined the Oklahoma Military Hall of Fame in 2019.
Celebrating Native American Art
Harvey Pratt was a self-taught artist. He worked with many different art forms. These included painting, sculpting, and architectural design. He often combined his police work experience with Native American traditions. His artwork won many awards. He received honors at the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonials in Gallup, New Mexico. He also won awards at the Red Earth Festival in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 2005, he was chosen as "The Honored One" for the Red Earth Festival.
His art can be seen in many important collections. These include the National Park Service and the Smithsonian Institution. In 2002, Governor Frank Keating appointed him to the Oklahoma Arts Council.
The National Native American Veterans Memorial
The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian chose Pratt's design. It was for the National Native American Veterans Memorial. His design, called "Warriors' Circle of Honor," is a 12-foot tall stainless-steel circle. It rests on a curved stone drum. This memorial was placed outside the museum in 2020. The official dedication ceremonies happened in November 2022.
His Life and Legacy
Harvey Pratt was recognized as a traditional Cheyenne Peace Chief. These chiefs are also known as the Council of Forty-Four. The Cheyenne People honored him as an Outstanding Southern Cheyenne.
He was married to Gina, who was also a former police officer. She is a member of the Creek Nation. His son, Nathan, was a talented chainsaw artist. Harvey Pratt lived in Guthrie, Oklahoma. He passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 84. His contributions to both law enforcement and art left a lasting impact.
