LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Police Officer Jose Vega for his consum-
mate bravery and compassion while saving the life of a young boy

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body has the deepest pride and admiration for
the police officers of New York State who take prompt and appropriate
action in emergency situations in order to preserve the life of another;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor
Police Officer Jose Vega for his consummate bravery and compassion while
saving the life of a young boy; and
WHEREAS, A 23-year veteran of the Buffalo Police Department, Police
Officer Jose Vega was responding to a call at the Wilson Farms store on
Auburn Avenue when a car pulled up and a man told him that his
23-month-old son was in the back and not breathing; and
WHEREAS, One of the most respected members of the Buffalo Police
Department, Police Officer Jose Vega instantly dove in, pulled out the
baby and began administering CPR through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation;
and
WHEREAS, Police Officer Jose Vega was quickly joined by Police Offi-
cers Darrick Ferrell and Valerie Stover-Kelly and the trio worked as one
unified body to deliver lifesaving measures to the baby; and
WHEREAS, Within minutes, Engine 37 firefighters, led by Lieutenant
Michael Lynch and aided by Firefighters Gary Schultz, David Denz and
Robert Carnevale, arrived and took over the rescue efforts; and
WHEREAS, The young boy was taken to nearby Women & Children's Hospital
in critical but stable condition; a few days later, the child passed
away despite the efforts of the Buffalo Police and Fire Departments and
the medical staff at the hospital; and
WHEREAS, Through his spontaneous and heroic actions, Police Officer
Jose Vega demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of his actions, the collective concern
of police officers across the community of the State of New York who
respond when others are in need of help; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude to
those devoted individuals who recognize that the preservation of life
and property is a sacred responsibility and who make that responsibility
their own by serving as police officers; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Police Officer Jose Vega; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Police Officer Jose Vega for his consummate bravery and compassion
while saving the life of a young boy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Buffalo Police Officer Jose Vega, Police Officer Darrick
Ferrell, and Police Officer Valerie Stover-Kelly.