LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ulster County Sheriff's Office Deputy
Joseph Steyer upon the occasion of receiving the Police Chief's Associ-
ation of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service -- Lifesaving Award
on May 8, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who 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, expressing its highest regard and admiration for the
great skill and courageous dedication exhibited by those who take prompt
and heroic action in an emergency situation; 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 exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ulster County
Sheriff's Office Deputy Joseph Steyer upon the occasion of receiving the
Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service
-- Lifesaving 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 July 20, 2008, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office In-Water
Rescue Team was dispatched for a possible drowning at the Saugerties
Village Beach; at the time, Deputy Steyer was on his way to Zone 6, the
Saugerties Dock, to work a Navigation shift and, fortunately, happened
to be less than one minute away from the scene of the possible drowning;
and
WHEREAS, Upon Deputy Steyers' arrival at the Saugerties Village Beach,
he found a female subject face down in the water; Deputy Steyer was able
to grab her before she went under the water and pulled her to shore;
finding her unresponsive and not breathing, Deputy Steyer immediately
started rescue breathing and after a short time the woman started to
breathe and cough up water; and
WHEREAS, The woman was subsequently taken to Kingston Hospital by Diaz
ambulance, where she was treated and released a few hours later, suffer-
ing no lasting injuries; Deputy Steyers' quick response and actions
clearly saved her life, in fact, a few hours later while the In-Water
Rescue Team was back at the same location for another drowning, the
woman, a single parent of a 12 year old boy, stopped to thank Deputy
Steyer for saving her life; and
WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Deputy Steyer demonstrated his
character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying the
collective concern of public servants and 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 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
honor Ulster County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joseph Steyer upon the occa-
sion of receiving the Police Chief's Association of Ulster County's
Meritorious Police Service -- Lifesaving Award on May 8, 2009; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ulster County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joseph Steyer.