2009-J1762
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring David Wiswall, Travis Bernstein, Shane
Turck and Douglas DiSciullo upon the occasion of receiving the Police
Chief's Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service -
Heroism Award on May 8, 2009
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of those exemplary citizens who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations while in the
course of their job duties, helping others to avert life-threatening
danger; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
David Wiswall, Travis Bernstein, Shane Turck and Douglas DiSciullo upon
the occasion of receiving the Police Chief's Association of Ulster Coun-
ty's Meritorious Police Service - Heroism Award at its Law Enforcement
Awards Banquet to be held at the Hillside Manor in Kingston, New York,
on Friday, May 8, 2009; and
WHEREAS, On April 5, 2008, Ulster County 911 dispatched a call regard-
ing a suicidal 15-year-old male subject; the first to locate the subject
walking along a roadway in the Town of Marbletown was New York City
Department of Environmental Protection Police Officer Douglas DiSciullo;
and
WHEREAS, Soon after, New York City Department of Environmental
Protection Police Sergeants David Wiswall, Travis Bernstein and Shane
Turck arrived and observed the subject acting erratically; and
WHEREAS, At this time, Sergeant Travis Bernstein asked the subject if
he had any weapons on his person and he stated that he did not; he was
then told that the police officers would need to physically confirm
this, but the subject refused to allow it; and
WHEREAS, After Sergeant Travis Bernstein repeated his request, the
subject pulled a handgun and pointed it at the police officer; acting
quickly, Sergeant Shane Turck rushed the subject before realizing that
the weapon was inoperable; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Shane Turck proceeded to alert the other police
officers, who subdued the subject and took him into custody for further
evaluation; it was later revealed that he intended to commit suicide by
cop; and
WHEREAS, Through their spontaneous and heroic actions, David Wiswall,
Travis Bernstein, Shane Turck and Douglas DiSciullo demonstrated their
character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying the
collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of the
State of New York who respond when others are in need of help; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor David Wiswall, Travis Bernstein, Shane Turck and Douglas DiSciullo
upon the occasion of receiving the Police Chief's Association of Ulster
County's Meritorious Police Service - Heroism Award on May 8, 2009; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to David Wiswall, Travis Bernstein, Shane Turck and Douglas
DiSciullo.