Senate Resolution No. 2172
BY: Senator KENNEDY
COMMENDING Officers Colin Keenan and Majed Ottman
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 Officers
Colin Keenan and Majed Ottman 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, Buffalo, New York, Police Officers Majed Ottman and Colin
Keenan had just started their shift on Friday, July 5, 2019, when they
learned a year and a half old toddler had just been found floating face
down in a backyard pool on Howlett Street in the Genesee-Moselle
neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, After dispatching themselves to the emergency call, the two
officers arrived at the location to find a distraught man holding a
lifeless little girl in his arms; Officer Majed Ottman immediately took
the child from the man, laid her on the ground, and began chest
compressions while Officer Colin Keenan questioned the toddler's mother,
learning she had been in the water for as long as three minutes before
she was found; and
WHEREAS, As Officer Majed Ottman diligently continued to perform
CPR, he noticed the child's belly was full of water, and subsequently,
gave her one more big breath of air; as water gushed out of her mouth,
he quickly turned her on her side and she started to breathe, then cry;
and
WHEREAS, Ever since they were young boys, Officers Ottman and Keenan
have always wanted to be policemen; through their astute and heroic
efforts, the little girl was saved from certain death; 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 Officers Colin Keenan and Majed Ottman 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 a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Officers Colin Keenan and Majed Ottman.
