LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Correction Officer Jay Siskavich upon
the occasion of receiving a Medal of Merit from the New York State
Department of Correctional Services on June 4, 2009

WHEREAS, Dedicated public servants, such as Correction Officer Jay
Siskavich, exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of
the American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their
sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition
by all citizens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Correction Officer Jay Siskavich upon the occasion of receiving a Medal
of Merit from the New York State Department of Correctional Services on
Thursday, June 4, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the New York State Department of Correctional
Services bestows this most prestigious honor upon employees who have
displayed singular courage and outstanding service during a ceremony at
the Training Academy in Albany, New York, which coincides with Correc-
tional Services Employee Week; and
WHEREAS, Jay Siskavich began working for the New York State Department
of Correctional Services on February 23, 1987; he has worked at the
Clinton Correctional Facility since July 27, 1989; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Officer Siskavich has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to both his community
and profession; and
WHEREAS, On July 15, 2008, at about 9:10 p.m., while approximately 343
inmates were preparing to leave the North Yard at Clinton Correctional
Facility, an altercation erupted; and
WHEREAS, Staff noticed that many of the 12 to 15 inmates involved were
armed with weapons; security staff assigned to the yard acted rapidly to
restore order; as the officers separated the perpetrators, Officer
Siskavich witnessed an inmate chasing and attempting to injure another
prisoner with a metal shank; and
WHEREAS, Officer Siskavich immediately gave orders to the inmate to
drop his weapon; after the inmate ignored his direct orders, Officer
Siskavich jumped onto the inmate's back, in an attempt to gain control
of the weapon, and was stabbed by the inmate in his right forearm; and
WHEREAS, However, despite his injury, Officer Siskavich continued to
struggle with the inmate and finally gained control of the inmate's
right arm; other officers responding to the scene disarmed the inmate,
apprehended the weapon and brought the inmate under control, ending the
incident; and
WHEREAS, The valiant and courageous actions of Officer Siskavich, and
his sheer determination in the face of his own injury, prevented serious
injury to other inmates as well as to his fellow responding officers;
and
WHEREAS, Officer Siskavich distinguished himself with this act of
bravery that went above and beyond the call of duty; he is a shining
example of what an officer from correctional services represents, but
more importantly, he is an example of the best of what humanity has to
offer; 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 of 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 Correction Officer Jay Siskavich upon the occasion of receiving
a Medal of Merit from the New York State Department of Correctional
Services on June 4, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Correction Officer Jay Siskavich.