Perry County Sheriff’s Deputies William Reagan, Reid , and Jeremy Gothard received a 2016 Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on September 26 at the Pinckneyville City Hall/Council Chambers.

The ISBA’s Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. It recognizes those who excel in law enforcement. ISBA Board Treasurer Angelica W. Wawrzynek of Tapella & Eberspacher LLC in Mattoon presented the award.

Reagan, Bastien, and Gothard were acknowledged for their involvement in a search and rescue operation during a major fire in an apartment building next to the Perry County Jail. They forcibly entered the building and notified residents to immediately evacuate and entered unresponsive units to ensure no one was present. They proceeded to identify the source of the fire and worked with other first responders as traffic and crowd control. 

Reagan, Bastien, and Gothard were nominated by David Searby, Assistant State’s Attorney in Perry County.

“The actions of these three clearly saved people from being injured and more than likely saved lives,” Searby said. “They courageously risked their lives to save others and made a difference on the night of June 15, 2015.”

The Illinois State Bar Association is a voluntary organization of 33,000  members that provides professional services to Illinois lawyers and education and services to the public. For more information, visit isba.org.