James Holland (Texas Ranger)
Serial killer investigator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Holland is a retired Texas Ranger who is credited with eliciting 93 confessions from serial killer Samuel Little.[1] The Los Angeles Times profiled Holland in 2019, calling him a "serial killer whisperer".[2] Ranger Holland was also profiled on 60 Minutes in the 2019 episode "The Ranger and the Serial Killer".
James Holland | |
|---|---|
| Born | Polo, Illinois, United States |
| Education | University of Louisville |
| Known for | Eliciting 93 confessions from serial killer Samuel Little |
| Police career | |
| Country | Texas Department of Public Safety |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Department | Texas Rangers |
Biography
Holland grew up outside of Chicago in the town of Polo, Illinois, where his family renovated The Peek Home Orphanage to accommodate their seven children.[3] Holland graduated from University of Louisville in 1993. According to the International Homicide Investigators Association, Holland joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1995 as a highway patrol trooper. He was named a lieutenant in 1995 and later served as a security detail for then-Texas Governor George W. Bush, and provided security during his campaign for President.[4]
Career
Holland's career is punctuated by high-profile homicide investigations and serial killer discoveries.[5][failed verification] He is credited with eliciting 93 confessions from Samuel Little, which have been painstakingly matched up to 60 cold cases[6] and counting. The FBI named Little the most prolific serial killer in U.S. history, thanks to Holland's work in the interrogation room.[7]
He is recognized as a subject-matter expert in interview techniques and regularly speaks to investigative agencies across the country.[8]
Holland has also appeared on episodes of 48 Hours "The Murder of Jackie Vandagriff" (2020)[9] and "The Plot to Kill Jamie Faith" (2022).[10] Holland's investigative work and interrogation tactics to solve the murder of Jackie Vandagriff were highlighted by CBS News,[11] who also interviewed detectives with the Grapevine Police Department who praised Holland's role in the case.
James Holland’s aggressive interrogation techniques are the subject of a six-part podcast called “Smoke Screen: Just Say You’re Sorry.”[12] Released in 2023, it examines the confession of Larry Driskill, in which Driskill was led by Holland to saying he committed a murder whilst insisting he had no memory of doing so.[13]