LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Karen Gormley upon the occasion of her
designation as the recipient of a Department of Corrections and Communi-
ty Supervision Medal of Honor at the 36th Annual New York State Police
Awards Day Ceremony on June 14, 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
Karen Gormley, a Senior Parole Officer with the Bronx Area Supervision
Office, upon the occasion of her designation as the recipient of a
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Medal of Honor at
the 36th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on June 14,
2012; and
WHEREAS, She received the award in recognition of her outstanding work
at the 36th Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony, held at the New
York State Police Academy in Albany on Thursday, June 14, 2012; and
WHEREAS, On September 2, 2011, a Parole Officer Team was having diffi-
culty entering a Bronx apartment to search for an absconder so the team
contacted Senior Parole Officer (SPO) Karen Gormley for guidance; real-
izing the team might need additional assistance, she proceeded to the
location and developed and coordinated a plan to apprehend the abscon-
der; and
WHEREAS, The team entered the apartment and, as the absconder was
being placed into custody, a struggle ensued and the absconder gained
control of a firearm; SPO Gormley approached the absconder who was
pointing the loaded weapon at her; the officers and the absconder fell
to the floor leaving SPO Gormley bleeding from a blow to the head; SPO
Gormley nonetheless poked the absconder in the eyes, at which point the
absconder released the firearm and was placed under arrest; and
WHEREAS, During the course of this action, SPO Gormley demonstrated
superior leadership, exceptional courage and tremendous professionalism
to bring a potentially dangerous incident to a decisive end; and
WHEREAS, Karen Gormley is certainly to be commended for her actions;
her quick thinking and initiative likely saved her life and the life of
the absconder and her efforts reflect great credit upon herself and on
the State of New York Department of Corrections and Community Super-
vision; and
WHEREAS, Karen Gormley has distinguished herself by her exemplary
achievement and outstanding performance on behalf of those she so faith-
fully and courageously serves; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Karen Gorm-
ley, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation of order and
the protection of others are worthy of the full praise of this Legisla-
tive 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 Karen Gormley upon the occasion of her designation as the recipi-
ent of a Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Medal of
Honor at the 36th Annual New York State Police Awards Day Ceremony on
June 14, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Karen Gormley.