LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen upon the occa-
sion of his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's Commenda-
tion Award at the 35th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony
on May 19, 2011

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
Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen, of Troop K, Salt Point, New York, upon the
occasion of his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's
Commendation Award; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant SC Breen of Rhinebeck will receive the award in
recognition of his outstanding police work at the 35th Annual State
Police Awards Day Ceremony, to be held at the New York State Police
Academy in Albany on Thursday, May 19, 2011; and
WHEREAS, On March 19, 2010 at 8:22 P.M., Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen
responded to a reported domestic disturbance with shots fired at a resi-
dence in Milan, New York; upon arrival, he learned that the male subject
was armed with a shotgun, had fired several rounds inside the house and,
after forcibly entering the house, was currently holding his estranged
wife against her will in an upstairs bedroom; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant SC Breen took control of the situation and attempted
to make contact with the subject; he and a Dutchess County Deputy Sher-
iff ascended the stairs of the residence and were able to establish
contact with the subject, who stated he would kill his wife and himself;
and
WHEREAS, Upon hearing the distraught and captive wife scream that she
would be killed, Sergeant SC Breen entered the room where the subject
was holding her at gunpoint; after the subject was struck with a taser
by the Deputy, which had no effect, the subject turned and pointed the
shotgun in Sergeant SC Breen's direction, at which time, in self-de-
fense, he fired one shot from his Division issued weapon and mortally
wounded the subject; and
WHEREAS, It is clear that Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen put his own life
in jeopardy in order to free the hostage and had he not used justifiable
deadly physical force, this subject might have shot Sergeant SC Mark W.
Breen, the Deputy, and his wife; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen is to be commended for his actions
in this situation; despite the grave personal danger, he selflessly
placed himself in harm's way to successfully rescue a hostage being held
by an armed and dangerous subject; and
WHEREAS, His bravery and devotion to duty are in keeping with the
finest traditions of the New York State Police; Sergeant SC Mark W.
Breen has distinguished himself by his exemplary achievement and
outstanding performance on behalf of the community he so faithfully and
courageously serves; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Sergeant SC
Mark W. Breen, 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, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen upon the occasion of his designation as

the recipient of a Superintendent's Commendation Award at the 35th Annu-
al New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 19, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sergeant SC Mark W. Breen.