LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Correction Officer Allen P. Miller
upon the occasion of receiving a Medal of Merit from the New York State
Department of Correctional Services on June 4, 2009

WHEREAS, Dedicated public servants, such as Correction Officer Allen P.
Miller, exemplify the power of human compassion and the strength of the
American spirit through actions of the most heroic magnitude; their
sacrifices and their selfless dedication merit tribute and recognition
by all citizens of this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Correction Officer Allen P. 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, Allen P. Miller began working for the New York State Depart-
ment of Correctional Services on July 19, 1993; he has worked at the
Orleans Correctional Facility since October 14, 2004; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his distinguished career, Officer Miller has
continually demonstrated extreme competence, extraordinary intelligence
and diligent leadership in his unwavering service to both his community
and profession; and
WHEREAS, On August 16, 2008, while working on his house on the banks
of the Tonawanda Creek in Indian Falls, New York, Officer Miller heard
loud voices coming from the creek; and
WHEREAS, Due to recent rains the waters had risen and created danger-
ous rapids near an eight foot waterfall, therefore, Officer Miller
decided to investigate; after climbing down an embankment, he came upon
a woman and her two young daughters stranded with their kayak in the
middle of the raging 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 could not respond; and
WHEREAS, Officer Miller then decided to turn his attention to the
four-year-old girl; he picked her up from the kayak and instructed the
mother to let go of the kayak; and
WHEREAS, After confirming that the mother and her two-year-old would
be secure for a few moments, Officer Miller 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, Fearless and determined, Officer Miller waded back into the
waters to save the mother and her other child; the mother, who was still
in shock, handed him her two-year-old daughter, who was extremely
frightened; and
WHEREAS, 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 security, entered
cold, hazardous white water rapids to rescue a mother and her two chil-
dren from conditions that most likely would have resulted in devastation
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 custom of this Legislative Body that those dedi-
cated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the preser-
vation 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
commend Correction Officer Allen P. Miller upon the occasion of receiv-
ing 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 Allen P. Miller.