Jim Holmes (left) receiving the Dreher Award from Charlie Banks

The Raymond W. Dreher Award is given in recognition of extraordinary services to IAATI and is presented in memory of the late Lt. Ray Dreher of the Missouri Highway Patrol, IAATI’s 16th President. 

Jim Holmes of the Washington Metropolitan Transit Police joined IAATI in 1979. Over the years, Jim has distinguished himself by his hard work and dedication.
He served on the IAATI Executive Board several times and is Past President of SERC. He has received numerous awards including the IAATI 3M Award, the IAATI Directors’ Award as well as from numerous other organizations. Indeed, at the Orlando seminar, he also won SERC’s Life-Time Achievement Award.

Jim is a self-starter and does much work on his own time as his department does not have an auto theft unit. His yearly vacations are planned around at least one vehicle manufacturing plant visit so that he may increase his knowledge and be a better instructor. His expertise includes secondary points of identification on some vehicles, points that are often not available to others. 

Jim was instrumental in the passage of the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Act of 1984 which requires manufacturers to place component part labels on major parts.

In 2003, Jim started the IAATI E-News in which he gathers, correlates and publishes information to investigators. It is a
time-consuming and often thankless job. 

Jim has traveled far and long, again mostly at his own expense and has taught thousands of people involved in vehicle theft investigation. Jim Holmes epitomizes what this award stands for. Jim, the Dreher Award Committee extends its thanks and appreciation for your dedication.