Harvey is a 33-year veteran of the department.
Firefighters and paramedics across L.A. were asked to pick the colleague they consider to be the most distinguished.
Even as he was being honored, Harvey was humble about his accomplishment.
"As a captain, I get a lot of credit for a lot of the hard work that all of the men and women that work for me have done over the years and I appreciate all their efforts," Harvey said.
Harvey is the first African American firefighter to get the honor in the award's 44-year history.
Harvey said he respects the African American firefighters who went before him and paved the way.