Springfield, Ill. – Illinois State Police Thursday recognized the contributions made by sworn and civilian members of the Illinois State Police, government agencies, and the public, with nominations going to two area men and an Officer of the Year Award going to another.

Special Agent William B. Blackburn was named Officer of the Year at an Awards Ceremony held Thursday at Hope Church in Springfield.

As a member of the Zone 7 Methamphetamine Response Team (MRT), Special Agent

Blackburn opened 50 cases in 2015 and completed 70 criminal arrests. He responded and dismantled 78 labs, seizing 18,128.4 grams of methamphetamine on 38 occasions.

He also conducted 18 formal and numerous one-on-one drug presentations.

Special Agent Blackburn worked with federal prosecutors on two significant cases during 2015.

A federal drug conspiracy entitled Operation Centralia Crew resulted in 26 federal indictments and convictions on numerous drug charges. He also worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on a multi-year federal drug conspiracy entitled Operation King Pencil, resulting in the sentencing of a specific target to 156 months in federal prison on drug-related charges. As an expert witness, Special Agent Blackburn has testified in multiple federal cases.

Special Agent Blackburn looks for ways to improve himself and his team while striving to promote their safety and the safety of our citizens.

Sergeant Adam Belcher was also nominated for the award and Telecommunicator Ross Boshera, the assistant fire chief for Centralia Fire Protection District and formerly a dispatcher for the City of Centralia was nominated for Dispatcher of the Year.