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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Patrick Healy, a Los Angeles television news fixture for nearly four decades, will retire at the end of the year, NBC4 announced today.
``I am extremely fortunate to have been given a chance to be a part of the best news shop in Los Angeles, and then be able to work the better part of my career with the most talented, most dedicated -- and most caring -- journalists in the TV news business,'' Healy said in a statement released by the station. ``Though technology revolutionized the industry during my four decades with NBC4, what has not changed is the commitment to doing our very best to cover the news that matters to our viewers' lives.''
Healy, who began his career as a writer/producer at KTTV, has been with NBC4 since 1984, covering some of the biggest stories in the Southland, including the acquittal of four police officers in the beating of Rodney King, the attack on Bryan Stow in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium, the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson and the molestation case of former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt.
Healy has worked extensively over the past two years covering the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts in Southern California. He has also covered science and environmental issues, reporting regularly on the state's drought and its wide-ranging impacts on residents and industry.
He also covered numerous stories focusing on homelessness and homeless veterans.
Healy received a lifetime achievement award earlier this year from the Radio and Television News Association of Southern California and won a Los Angeles Area Emmy Award in 2015 as part of a team that compiled a special marking the anniversary of the Watts riots. He also won a local Emmy for coverage of the arrest of the Night Stalker suspect and has received Los Angeles Press Club and Golden Mike awards.
``It will be tough not to see Patrick reporting the biggest stories of the day in a way only he can,'' Steve Carlston, NBC4 president and general manager, said in a statement. ``I will always admire him for his integrity and professionalism, and I wish him well as he enjoys a much-deserved retirement with his family.''
Renee Washington, vice president of news at NBC4, added: ``NBC4 is immensely grateful for Patrick's stellar contributions to the work in our newsroom, out in the field and in the community all these years. He has set a high standard in broadcast journalism that has made our news operations shine every day.''
According to the station, Healy -- a UCLA graduate -- will be retiring to spend more time with his family. His last day on air will be Dec. 31.
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