LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Correction Officer Al Miller upon the
occasion of receiving a Medal of Merit from the New York State Depart-
ment of Correctional Services on June 4, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Correction Officer Al Miller 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, While working on his house on the banks of Tonawanda Creek in
Indian Falls, New York, on August 16, 2008, Al Miller, a Corrections
Officer with the Orleans Correctional Facility, heard loud voices coming
from the creek; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller decided to investigate, and after climbing
down an embankment, he saw a woman and her two young daughters stranded
with their kayak in the middle of the white water rapids; and
WHEREAS, The woman, who appeared to be in shock, was holding her two-
year-old and keeping a hand on a kayak containing her four-year-old;
Officer Miller immediately waded into the rapids and attempted to speak
to the mother, who did not respond; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller then decided to turn his attention to the
four-year-old and took her from the kayak; before carrying the girl back
to shore he was able to get the mother to confirm that she and the two-
year-old were secure for the moment; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller instructed the mother to let go of the kayak;
he then carried the four-year-old girl back to shore; while distracting
her with humor, they made it across, and he safely handed the child to
his girlfriend; and
WHEREAS, Determined, Officer Miller waded back into the waters to help
the mother and her other child; the mother eventually handed him her
two-year-old, who was extremely frightened; by this time the Pembroke
Volunteer Fire Department had arrived and volunteers had formed a human
chain to Officer Miller; he handed the child over to a firefighter who
took her to safety; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller then asked the mother to walk with him back to
shore, she indicated she felt too unsteady; he quickly proposed a
solution by asking her to place her right foot against his left foot,
and when she felt him step, she would step with him; using this method,
Officer Miller helped the woman return safely to shore, where she was
reunited with her children; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller, without regard for his own safety, entered
cold, dangerous white water rapids to rescue a mother and her two chil-
dren from conditions that most likely would have resulted in catastrophe
if he had not taken immediate action; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller 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 impor-
tantly, 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
honor Correction Officer Al Miller 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 Al Miller.