LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Correction Officer Jay Siskavich upon
the occasion of receiving a Medal of Merit from the New York State
Department of Correctional Services on June 4, 2009

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those individuals who serve to 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
Correction Officer Jay Siskavich 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, At about 9:10 p.m., on July 15, 2008, while approximately 343
inmates were preparing to leave the North Yard at Clinton Correctional
Facility, an altercation erupted; and
WHEREAS, Staff noticed that many of the 12 to 15 inmates involved were
armed with weapons; security staff assigned to the yard acted quickly to
restore order; as the officers separated the perpetrators, Officer
Siskavich saw an inmate chasing another prisoner with a metal shank; and
WHEREAS, After the inmate ignored direct orders to drop the weapon,
Officer Siskavich jumped onto the inmate's back and attempted to gain
control of the weapon; and
WHEREAS, Officer Siskavich was stabbed by the inmate in his right
forearm; however, despite his injury, he continued to struggle with the
inmate and finally gained control of the inmate's right arm; other offi-
cers responding to the scene disarmed the inmate, apprehended the weapon
and brought the inmate under control, ending the incident; and
WHEREAS, The quick and courageous actions of Officer Siskavich, and
his determination in the face of his own injury, prevented serious inju-
ry to other inmates as well as to his fellow responding officers; and
WHEREAS, Officer Siskavich 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 importantly, 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 Jay Siskavich 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 Jay Siskavich.