Senate Resolution No. 2118
BY: Senator HARCKHAM
COMMENDING five Police Officers upon the occasion
of their designation as recipients of a Liberty
Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual
by the New York State Senate
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote
themselves to public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence
in providing for the care and welfare of the citizens of their
communities and this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend five
Police Officers upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, On April 12, 2019, the Pleasantville Police Department
received a report of a man standing on the edge of the Manville Road
overpass that crosses over the Saw Mill River Parkway; officers were
dispatched to the location and mutual aid was requested; and
WHEREAS, Officers from the Mount Pleasant Police Department and the
Westchester County Department of Public Safety responded to assist with
traffic control, as well as provide assistance with speaking to the
emotionally disturbed subject on the bridge; and
WHEREAS, Once on the scene, Sergeant Juan Garcia (Pleasantville
Police Department) positioned himself on the southbound Saw Mill River
Parkway to coordinate the traffic control and deployment of lifesaving
equipment with the County Police; and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Erin Holly (Pleasantville Police
Department), Detective Rob Barber (Westchester County Department of
Public Safety), and Detective Lauren Valentino and Sergeant Walter
O'Keeffe (Mount Pleasant Police Department) began speaking to the
subject on the bridge, a 19 year-old resident of Pleasantville in
crisis; and
WHEREAS, As the officers spoke to the young man, they used verbal
de-escalation tactics to calm him down and build trust before patiently
and carefully moving closer to him, constantly utilizing their training
and assessing the situation; and
WHEREAS, Over the course of approximately 30 minutes, the officers
positioned themselves close enough to the subject to secure him and
remove him from danger; he was then transported to the Westchester
County Medical Behaviorial Health Unit for evaluation; and
WHEREAS, Justly recognized as heroes, these five brave officers
richly merit the admiration of this Legislative Body for their
consummate, swift action in saving the life of a young man; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend five Police Officers upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Sergeant Juan Garcia, Police Officer Erin Holly,
Detective Rob Barber, Detective Lauren Valentino and Sergeant Walter
O'Keeffe.
