LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Niagara County Deputy Sheriffs Jona-
than Andres and Shawn Grapes upon the occasion of their designation as
recipients of the 2011 Deputy of the Year Award by the New York State
Sheriffs' Association Institute, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
those distinguished officers and citizens who devote themselves to
public service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing
for the care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this
great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our valiant law enforcement officials who exhibit courage
and bravery every day in the course of their duties; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the heroic acts of law enforcement officers who take prompt and
appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking their own
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 commend
Niagara County Deputy Sheriffs Jonathan Andres and Shawn Grapes upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2011 Deputy of the
Year Award by the New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute, Inc.;
and
WHEREAS, In the early morning hours of July 18, 2011, Niagara County
Deputy Sheriff Allen Gerhardt was on patrol in his vehicle and responded
to a call to assist a fellow officer pursue a fleeing suspect; and
WHEREAS, While engaged in the pursuit of the fleeing suspect, Deputy
Sheriff Gerhardt lost control of his vehicle which slid into a highway
guard rail; the guard rail penetrated the vehicle through the passenger
side door and continued through the front passenger compartment severing
Deputy Gerhardt's right and left legs at the knee; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Andres immediately responded to the
accident in a separate patrol vehicle and began to render critical emer-
gency medical assistance to his grievously wounded fellow officer by
applying a makeshift tourniquet to Deputy Gerhardt's left leg; and
WHEREAS, Also responding to the accident and the emergency medical
needs of his fellow officer, Deputy Sheriff Shawn Grapes retrieved an
emergency response team-issued tourniquet from his patrol vehicle and,
working with Deputy Andres, was able to remove critically injured Deputy
Gerhardt from the accident vehicle and apply the tourniquet to his right
leg; and
WHEREAS, After rendering lifesaving emergency medical assistance to
their fellow officer, Niagara County Deputy Sheriffs Jonathan Andres and
Shawn Grapes assisted first responders in placing Deputy Gerhardt on a
back board and into a waiting ambulance for transportation by Mercy
Flight to the designated medical center; and
WHEREAS, The heroic actions of Deputy Sheriffs Jonathan Andres and
Shawn Grapes resulted in saving the life of their fellow Deputy Sheriff;
they are shining examples of the resourceful and dedicated efforts of
the Niagara County Sheriff's Office to provide their all to safeguard
the people of Niagara County; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those individuals within the State of New York who perform
law enforcement and rescue operations with competence, diligence and
precision, resulting in heroic life-saving actions; and
WHEREAS, It is also 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 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 Niagara County Deputy Sheriffs Jonathan Andres and Shawn Grapes
upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the 2011 Deputy
of the Year Award by the New York State Sheriffs' Association Institute,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Niagara County Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Andres and Niagara
County Deputy Sheriff Shawn Grapes.