All area law enforcement departments, fire departments, and private security are eligible to submit nominees to recognize extraordinary performance beyond the call of duty, and/or risk to the nominees's life. County, State and Federal organizations are also authorized to submit nominees as the membership of ASIS International is open to every level of government. Click here to view selection standards for security officers. Please submit nominees to the Public Safety Committee, ASIS Houston Chapter - asis@asishouston.org.The ASIS Houston Chapter annual dues underwrite the activities of the Public Safety Committee. To join the Houston Chapter click here.

Left to right -
Commander Marco Villarreal
Sgt. James "Jim" Bilinovich
Charles Andrews, CFE

On 12/24/09 at 0415 hours, patrol deputies arrived on scene at 22723 Earlmist Drive in reference to a third party call of a male stating to his mother, that he had just shot his sister. Deputies entered the home and located a white female deceased with a gunshot wound to the head. The suspect was G.O.A. in a tan Dodge pickup. HCSO Homicide and CSU made the scene. The Homicide Investigator contacted Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force Sgt. James Bilinovich and advised that the suspect (crack cocaine user) has been known to visit a friend in the Old Town Spring area. Sgt. Bilinovich “in-serviced” the area and located the vehicle parked at a trailer home at approx. 0830 hours. Shortly thereafter he observed the suspect load several rifles into the cab of the truck. The suspect and a white female entered the truck and headed southbound on Hardy from Old Town Spring. The suspect observed Sgt. Bilinovich following him. The suspect stopped the truck and ordered the female out. The suspect then traveled southbound to the 22600 block of Aldine Westfield and stopped again. As Sgt. Bilinovich and two patrol units were approaching the truck the suspect leaned his head against the driver side window and shot himself in the head with a rifle located in the front seat. The suspect was still breathing and transported to Ben Taub by EMS.

Were it not for Sergeant Bilinovich’s keen observation and surveillance skills and his courage to follow a suspected murderer, whom he knew was heavily armed; many other officers and/or civilians would have been placed in grave danger. Sergeant Bilinovich should be honored for his valor and his meritorious conduct.