Pinckneyville Police Officer James Holder will receive the Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on July 17 during a Pinckneyville Police Pension Board meeting.

The ISBA 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.

Officer Holder will be acknowledged for his involvement in a search and rescue operation during a major fire in an apartment building next to the Perry County Jail. He forcibly entered the building and notified residents to immediately evacuate and entered unresponsive units to ensure no one was present. He proceeded to identify the source of the fire and worked with other first responders as traffic and crowd control.  

Officer Holder was nominated by David Searby, State’s Attorney in Perry County. The award will be presented by ISBA 2nd Vice President Dennis Orsey.