LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Syracuse Detectives Richard Curran and
Edward Falkowski upon their designation by the National Association of
Police Organizations as the recipients of 2010 TOP COP Awards

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
Syracuse Police Department Detectives Richard Curran and Edward Falkow-
ski upon their designation by the National Association of Police Organ-
izations as the recipients of 2010 TOP COP Awards in recognition of
their distinguished service and heroism; and
WHEREAS, Founded in 1978, the National Association of Police Organiza-
tions (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations from
across the United States that serves to advance the interests of Ameri-
ca's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy,
political action and education; and
WHEREAS, Since NAPO launched the awards program in 1994, the TOP COP
Awards have paid tribute to outstanding law enforcement officers from
across the country for actions above and beyond the call of duty; and
WHEREAS, TOP COP Award recipients are nominated by their fellow offi-
cers for outstanding service during the preceding calendar year and are
selected by an Awards Selection Committee comprised of national law
enforcement representatives who choose one TOP COP case from each state
and U.S. territory which are then ranked and the top ten case winners
are flown to Washington, D.C. for the annual awards ceremony, a ceremony
attended by celebrities, high level government officials, and members of
the national law enforcement community as well as friends, family and
colleagues and which features a three-minute videotape of each TOP COP
and his or her story; and
WHEREAS, On April 13, 2009, a scene played out on the streets of Syra-
cuse, New York which, taking only seconds, shocked witnesses and left
even the officers involved, Syracuse Police Department Detective Richard
Curran and Detective Edward Falkowski, in disbelief; and
WHEREAS, James Tyson Jr., fresh from a stint in State prison, had
gotten hold of a 357 magnum pistol; the police were looking for him and
Detectives Richard Curran and Edward Falkowski spotted him driving along
a southside street and pulled him over in a laundromat parking lot; and
WHEREAS, A recent parolee after having spent 10 years in prison and
carrying an illegal firearm, Mr. Tyson, instead of following Detectives
Richard Curran's and Edward Falkowski's instructions to exit his car and
put his hands on top of his auto, made a conscious decision that he was
not going back to jail and reached for his gun and, while it was along-
side Detective Richard Curran's ear, fired the first shot, rupturing
Detective Curran's eardrum; and
WHEREAS, Detective Curran, thinking he was shot, immediately fell to
the ground and tried to orient himself; meanwhile, ducking for cover,
Detective Falkowski had taken only three or four steps when he heard a
second gunshot and felt a sharp, stinging sensation in his lower back
area and, as he leaned forward and continued running to seek cover, he
heard a third gunshot, a shot which grazed across his shoulder and,
though wounded, Detective Falkowski's protective vest, thankfully, kept
the shots from being fatal; and

WHEREAS, By then, Detective Curran was back on his feet chasing Mr.
Tyson up a nearby street, where an exchange of gunfire left Mr. Tyson
dead, unfortunately losing his life as a result of his own violent
actions; and
WHEREAS, It took Detective Falkowski five months to be able to return
to work and Detective Curran, nine months; and
WHEREAS, Detectives Curran and Falkowski, reluctant heroes, were
fittingly honored with NAPO's 2010 TOP COP Awards at the 17th Annual TOP
COP Awards ceremony held at Washington, D.C.'s Warner Theatre on Friday,
May 14, 2010; and
WHEREAS, They were also thrillingly honored, along with the other
twenty-four 2010 TOP COP Award recipients, at the White House, where
they met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office before being
recognized by the President and Attorney General Eric Holder at a cere-
mony in the Rose Garden; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the Syracuse Police
Department, Detectives Richard Curran and Edward Falkowski have distin-
guished themselves by their exemplary achievement and outstanding
performance on behalf of the community they so faithfully and coura-
geously serve; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Detective
Richard Curran and Detective Edward Falkowski, who unselfishly devote
their lives to the preservation 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 Syracuse Police Department Detectives Richard Curran and Edward
Falkowski upon their designation by the National Association of Police
Organizations as the recipients of 2010 TOP COP Awards; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Detective Richard Curran and Detective Edward Falkowski.