LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely and tragic death of Fire-
fighter Jonathan Croom of the Buffalo Fire Department

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to
citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor
served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great
State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout
the Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the ardu-
ous field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Firefighters and fire departments not only provide the crit-
ical service of fire protection but also engage in other activities of
great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Jonathan Croom died during a three alarm fire on
the morning of Monday, August 24, 2009; and
WHEREAS, A member of the Buffalo Firefighters Union Local No. 282,
Jonathan Croom was a 10-year veteran assigned to Ladder 7 and was vali-
antly fighting the fire at a deli on Genesee Street on the city's East
Side; this tragedy was the department's worst loss of life in the last
26 years; and
WHEREAS, Twice, the City of Buffalo honored Firefighter Jonathan Croom
for valor, once for helping revive a boy who nearly drowned in 2008, and
a year earlier, for rescuing apartment dwellers from a fire; and
WHEREAS, A great asset to society, Firefighter Jonathan Croom is going
to be truly missed and will be a great loss to the Buffalo Fire Depart-
ment; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Jona-
than Croom was such a firefighter; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his years of devoted service, Firefighter Jonathan
Croom heroically performed, above and beyond the call of duty, those
responsibilities which define the task of fire protection; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Jonathan Croom is survived by his fiancee,
Ingrid, his daughter, Joanna, his parents, Jonathan Croom and Maria
Heusinger; his siblings Gabriel and Beau, his grandmother, Ana Diaz, and
by many loving relatives and friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely and tragic death of Firefighter Jonathan Croom of the
Buffalo Fire Department; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Firefighter Jonathan Croom.