LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool upon the
occasion of his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's
Commendation Award at the 36th Annual New York State Police Awards Day
Ceremony on May 17, 2012

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
Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool, of Troop G in Loudonville, upon the occasion
of his designation as the recipient of a Superintendent's Commendation
Award; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool received the award in recognition
of his outstanding police work at the 36th Annual State Police Awards
Day Ceremony, held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany on
Thursday, May 17, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On December 16, 2011, the New York State Police was investi-
gating a report of a missing adult male who had been missing for 24
hours and had not shown up at work; the missing man's wife said she had
checked their hunting camp and observed a broken window, but found no
sign of her husband; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool was assigned to check the camp,
which was located in a remote area in the Town of Stony Creek, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Upon Trooper Vanderpool's arrival, he observed signs of
forced entry to the camp; he entered and searched the main level of the
camp; as he continued to check around the building, he saw there was a
garage located in the basement area of the camp and heard a faint
humming sound coming from within the garage; and
WHEREAS, Looking through a small hole in the garage door, he saw a
running vehicle matching the description of the vehicle provided by the
missing man's wife and quickly realized the urgency of the situation;
and
WHEREAS, When Trooper Vanderpool could not open the door, he retrieved
a length of rope from his troop car, positioned the troop car in front
of the garage door, tied the rope off on the door handle, and then to
the push bumper of the car; and
WHEREAS, Using the car, he ripped the door down in order to gain entry
and, disregarding his own safety, Trooper Vanderpool entered the
exhaust-filled garage and discovered a man in the driver's seat of the
vehicle, apparently breathing, but with lacerations to his wrists; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Vanderpool exited the garage for a few quick breaths
of fresh air and to call for EMS; he then reentered the garage and
pulled the subject, who was conscious, but incoherent, from the vehicle
and out to the driveway to await transportation by a Stony Creek ambu-
lance to Glens Falls Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool is certainly to be commended for
his actions; his quick thinking and initiative likely saved the life of
this suicidal man and his efforts reflect great credit upon himself and
on the Division of State Police; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool 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 Trooper
Joel T. Vanderpool, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preserva-
tion 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,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool upon the occasion of his designation as
the recipient of a Superintendent's Commendation Award at the 36th Annu-
al New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 17, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Joel T. Vanderpool.