DEC 2022. Blues Vol 38 No. 12

Holloway showed “remarkable”
calmness and professionalism
in the moments following the
shooting.
In October 2022, Ohio Attorney
General Dave Yost recognized the
significant contributions of several
peace officers, including Officer
Holloway, who was selected
to receive the Valor Award.
“There are officers all over Ohio
who heroically serve our communities
every day and are the
backbone of the civil society we
all enjoy,” Yost said. “The officers
being honored represent the best
of those heroes, and I am proud
of their dedication to protecting
the unprotected.” The scar on the
left side of Officer Holloway’s
head is a testament to his bravery
and a reminder of the fine
line between life and death.
In recognition of Officer Holloway’s
bravery, the National
Association of Police Organizations
also honored the
nine-year veteran with the TOP
COPS award and the Citizens
Choice award. Each year since
1994 NAPO has presented the
TOP COPS Awards® Ceremony.
The purpose of the TOP COPS
Awards® is to educate the American
public about our nation’s
heroes and to pay tribute to law
enforcement officers in federal,
state, county, tribal and local
agencies from across the country
for actions above and beyond
the call of duty during the preceding
year. Our TOP COPS are
nominated by fellow officers. An
independent Awards Selection
Committee comprised of national
law enforcement representatives
select, from hundreds of
nominations, one TOP COP case
from each of the 50 States and
U.S. territories. Officers from the
top ten cases are selected as our
TOP COPS Award® Winners. In
each remaining state, one case
has been selected for which the
officer(s) will receive an Honorable
Mention award.
International
Association of Chiefs
of Police/2022 Axon
Officer of the Year
During the 2022 annual IACP
conference in Dallas, Texas, Officer
Holloway was selected for
the prestigious IACP/Axon Police
Officer of the Year Award for exceptional
achievement. According
to the IACP website, every
day, police officers perform selfless
acts in their commitment to
public service and community
safety. Acknowledging these acts
formally provides the opportunity
to showcase exceptional work
of the profession and provides
the ability to emulate these everyday
achievements. The IACP/
Axon Police Officer of the Year
Award elevates the recognition
of these acts to the global stage
thereby impacting the profession
as a whole by highlighting those
who exemplify selflessness,
empathy, and strength of character.
It is an unparalleled award
experience for the officer to
share with their family and their
department. It also provides an
unmatched professional development
opportunity. The IACP/
Axon Police Officer of the Year
Award represents the best of the
police profession.
IACP noted the following as the
basis for selection for this prestigious
award. On September 21,
2021, Officer Thadeu Holloway of
the Dayton Police Department,
Ohio, was investigating a fraud
complaint. He located a person
matching the description of the
suspect and approached him on
foot. As Officer Holloway approached,
the suspect became
violent, rapidly escalating from
physical force to deadly force in
his attacks and shooting Officer
Holloway in the head. Officer
Holloway transitioned from his
electronic control weapon to his
pistol and returned fire, striking
the suspect. Wounded, Officer
Holloway stood guard over the
suspect, summoned additional
officers and rescue personnel to
the scene, and maintained scene
control by issuing clear and calm
directions to ensure the safety
of bystanders. Officer Holloway’s
quick reaction and presence of
mind resulted in the arrest of a
violent offender.
On behalf of all at The BLUES
Police Magazine, we extend
our deepest appreciation to
Officer Holloway for his dedication
to continue to serve
and protect. A grateful nation
continues to lift he and his
family up in the journey on the
road to recovery.
66 The BLUES The BLUES 67