U.S. Marshals in southern Illinois receive nationwide award

The U.S. Marshals Service for the Southern District of Illinois is being honored with the highest award given by the federal agency, the Distinguished District Award.

The East St. Louis based office was selected as the 2015 Director’s Distinguished District Award for a small district. There are 94 marshal districts throughout the United States, and the award is given in three categories — large, medium, and small.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Southern District of Illinois,” East St. Louis U.S. Marshal Don Slazinik said in a released statement. “I am very proud of the deputies and administrative staff for their accomplishments which led to this award.”

Marshals’ officials look at a districts yearly accomplishments — including audit results, high-profile trials, number of prisoners in custody, warrant case loads, seized properties and emergency response — when judging for the award.

The Southern District of Illinois U.S. Marshals have remained extremely proactive in executing warrants with its task force.

So far in 2015, the Marshals Service has arrested over 350 violent fugitives, including 32 sex offenders, 20 gang members and seized 38 firearms.

Officers assigned to the U.S. Marshals in the Southern District of Illinois are from Homeland Security, Illinois Department of Corrections, Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and East St. Louis Police Department.

This story was originally published June 2, 2015 at 1:31 PM with the headline "U.S. Marshals in southern Illinois receive nationwide award."