LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Laurie Sharkey upon the occasion of
receiving the Dispatcher of the Year Award from the Rockland 911
Dispatchers Association on June 28, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the concerned and caring work of those esteemed individuals
within the State of New York who assist in safeguarding the safety and
welfare of their neighbors and community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Laurie Sharkey upon the occasion of receiving the Dispatcher of the Year
Award from the Rockland 911 Dispatchers Association on June 28, 2009;
and
WHEREAS, On March 26, 2009, the Spring Valley Police Department
responded to two incidents of domestic dispute at the same residence,
where the common-law husband attacked his wife and made suicidal threats
with a knife before fleeing the scene; and
WHEREAS, Later that day, a Spring Valley Police Department patrol was
dispatched to another residence for a report of a suicidal party with a
knife, where a distraught father had picked up his small child from the
babysitter and was making homicidal and suicidal threats on the phone;
and
WHEREAS, The Spring Valley Police Department quickly determined that
despite the confusion, the suspect in both incidents was the same and
broadcast an Amber alert, while attempting to contact the subject by
phone and locate him using GPS coordinates; soon after, a Clarkstown
Police Officer located the subject and attempted to apprehend him and
rescue the child; and
WHEREAS, The subject fled from the Clarkstown Police Officer and
intentionally rammed several police cars while attempting to escape;
eventually, officers from the Spring Valley Police Department were able
to persuade him to surrender and give up the child unharmed; and
WHEREAS, The successful outcome of this investigation would not have
been possible without Laurie Sharkey, a very skilled and professional
dispatcher in the Clarkstown Police Department who did an excellent job
of keeping all personnel involved apprised of the situation while help-
ing to coordinate the pursuit; and
WHEREAS, Throughout the ordeal, Laurie Sharkey kept a calm and profes-
sional demeanor both in the 911 center and over the radio, which
contributed significantly to the safe return of the child; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern of those dedicated individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations while in the
course of performing their job duties in an effort to preserve the life
of another; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Laurie Sharkey and to wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Laurie Sharkey upon the occasion of receiving the Dispatcher of
the Year Award from the Rockland 911 Dispatchers Association on June 28,
2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Laurie Sharkey.