LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Correction Officer John Iocovello upon
the occasion of his designation as the recipient of a New York State
Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Medal of Merit on
June 14, 2012

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor individuals who preserve and protect such values, lauding partic-
ularly 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
Correction Officer John Iocovello upon the occasion of his designation
as the recipient of a New York State Department of Corrections and
Community Supervision Medal of Merit on June 14, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Each year, the New York State Department of Corrections and
Community Supervision confers this most prestigious honor recognizing
extraordinary service upon employees who have displayed singular courage
and outstanding service during a ceremony at the Training Academy in
Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, August 28, 2011, due to the significant and rapid rainfall
caused by Hurricane Irene, Ulster Correctional Facility experienced a
major disruption in services including an electrical power outage, forc-
ing the facility to convert to generator power; and
WHEREAS, As heavy rains continued, the waterway between Ulster and
Eastern New York correctional facilities began to overflow its banks due
to violent floods pouring down from a reservoir on the mountain behind
the facility; eventually, approximately one-third of the facility was
flooded to the point where three inmate housing units had to be evacu-
ated to another area of the facility and the facility generator became
inoperable, leaving the facility without any power; and
WHEREAS, As staff was assessing flood damage and the integrity of the
facility perimeter, facility Sergeant Tod Carter and Correction Officer
John Iocovello observed a tremendous amount of debris obstructing the
water flow under a small bridge at the northwestern entrance to the
facility and determined this was contributing to the flooding of the
facility; and
WHEREAS, Under increasingly dangerous weather conditions, Correction
Officer Iocovello immediately volunteered to operate the facility back-
hoe and began removing the debris; Correction Officer Iocovello then
diverted the flow of water from the facility by creating trenches just
southwest of the bridge and on the northeast corner where there was
another waterway behind the facility; and
WHEREAS, As a result of Correction Officer Iocovello's actions, the
majority of the flooding was eventually diverted from the facility and
its electrical power was eventually restored; and
WHEREAS, Without electrical power and with impending nightfall, all of
the nearly 900 offenders housed at the facility as well as the staff
would have had to have been evacuated, which, under these circumstances,
would have been extremely difficult and dangerous; and
WHEREAS, Correction Officer John Iocovello's actions went well above
and beyond his normal duty assignment as a Correction Officer and are
considered exceptional and extraordinary; and
WHEREAS, Officer Iocovello distinguished himself with this act of
bravery that went above and beyond the call of duty; he is a shining
example of what a Correctional Services officer represents, but more

importantly, he is an example of the best of what humanity has to offer;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those dedicated
public servants, such as John Iocovello, who unselfishly devote their
lives to the preservation 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
honor Correction Officer John Iocovello upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as the recipient of a New York State Department of Corrections
and Community Supervision Medal of Merit on June 14, 2012; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Correction Officer John Iocovello.