The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on February 25 announced Senior Officer Percy Evans of the Town of Holly Springs (N.C.) Police Department as the Officer of the Month for January 2026. Senior Officer Evans was selected for his actions when he jumped into an icy pond to rescue an 11-year-old boy who had fallen through the ice and was unable to get out.

On Saturday, January 10, 2026, Officer Evans was patrolling Womble Park in Holly Springs when a bystander ran to him with urgent news: an 11-year-old boy had fallen through a thin layer of ice covering a nearby pond. Officer Evans immediately entered the pond and pulled the boy from the frigid water. He then placed the child inside his patrol vehicle to help him warm up while fire and emergency medical personnel responded. Both Officer Evans and the child were evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization. The boy was later reunited with his parents.

“Officer Evans’ quick thinking and bravery saved a young life under extremely dangerous conditions,” said Bill Alexander, CEO of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. “His actions are a reminder of the courage and dedication law enforcement officers show every day to protect their communities. We are proud to recognize him as our January Officer of the Month for 2026.”

The Officer of the Month Award Program is sponsored by the Police Unity Tour and recognizes federal, state and local officers who distinguish themselves through exemplary law enforcement service and devotion to duty.

—www.NLEOMF.org—

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Established in 1984, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the fallen, telling the story of American law enforcement and making it safer for those who serve. The first pillar of this mission, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., honors the names of all of the 24,412 (and counting) officers who have died in the line of duty to date throughout U.S. history. Additionally, NLEOMF maintains and publishes comprehensive details on the circumstances surrounding official line-of-duty deaths. The Officer Safety and Wellness pillar uses that data, coupled with best-practice program models, to produce programming directed at solutions to improve survivability and enhance wellness. NLEOMF’s third pillar, the National Law Enforcement Museum (LawEnforcementMuseum.org) is committed to preserving the history of American law enforcement and sharing the experiences of service and sacrifice for generations to come.

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