LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trooper Matthew J. Gombosi upon the
occasion of his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's
Commendation Award at the 33rd Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony
on May 11, 2009

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those who preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly their
unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their
duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Trooper Matthew J. Gombosi, of Troop "C" in Sidney, upon the occasion of
his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's Commendation
Award; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Gombosi received the award in recognition of his
outstanding police work at the 33rd Annual State Police Awards Day Cere-
mony, held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany on Monday, May
11, 2009; and
WHEREAS, On April 17, 2008, at approximately 5:01 p.m., the Delaware
911 Center received a telephone call from a 15-year-old girl who
reported that her mother had been shot in the abdomen at their residence
in Grand Gorge, Delaware County; the assailant, who was the girl's
father and the estranged boyfriend of the victim, fled the scene in his
vehicle en route to his trailer located in a trailer park at the inter-
section of State Routes 10 and 23 in the Village of Stamford, Delaware
County; and
WHEREAS, A vehicle description was provided and within a short time
Trooper David J. Morgan, SP Margaretville, located the vehicle entering
the Village of Stamford; the suspect refused to stop and continued into
his trailer; while trooper Morgan and a New York City Department of
Environmental Protection Police Officer responded to one side of the
suspect's trailer, Trooper Gombosi took a tactical position on the other
side; and
WHEREAS, The subject, who had exited his vehicle with his .44 Magnum
handgun in hand, turned to confront Trooper Gombosi, who fired eight
rounds from his Glock .45 GAP, striking the suspect one time in the
thigh; the suspect subsequently used his handgun to shoot himself in the
head, taking his own life; the injured woman was airlifted to Albany
Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Gombosi is to be commended for his actions; despite
grave personal danger to himself and the other police officers, he
confronted the armed man without hesitation and took decisive action in
self-defense to terminate the immediate threat to his safety; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Trooper Matthew J. Gombosi has distinguished himself by his
exemplary achievement and outstanding performance on behalf of the
community he so faithfully and courageously serves; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Trooper
Matthew J. Gombosi, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preserva-
tion of order and the protection of others are worthy of the full praise
of this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Trooper Matthew J. Gombosi upon the occasion of his designation as
the recipient of a Superintendent's Commendation Award at the 33rd Annu-
al State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 11, 2009; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Matthew J. Gombosi.