Pinckneyville Police Officer James Holder received a Law Enforcement Award from the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) on July 17 during a Pinckneyville Police Pension Board meeting. ISBA 2nd Vice President Dennis Orsey presented the award.

The Law Enforcement Award recognizes 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. 

Officer Holder was 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 Perry County State's Attorney David Searby Jr.