Holden wins state recognition

By Terry Murry on Thursday, June 29th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution Correctional Officer Geoff Holden has been named the 2022 Correctional Officer of the Year both locally and for the entire state. Holden received the honor from his employer in early May and then was given the state award on May 18.

Holden, a 1987 Pendleton High School graduate, was hired by EOCI on Jan. 9, 2017. He was appreciated from the beginning for what EOCI describes is a positive attitude.

“Officer Holden went the extra mile to assist EOCI with our first open house event, including helping us on his day off,” his nomination form stated. “He did most of the set up and take down for the event. He saw what needed to get done and did it.”

That wasn’t all EOCI had to say. “Every day, he comes to work with a smile and positive attitude that is contagious,” the nominators wrote. “He cares about his coworkers and the institution, often putting others before himself and he is always willing to help wherever needed.”