LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Saugerties Police Department's Officer
Jeremy Rushkoski upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Associ-
ation of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service -- Lifesaving Award
on May 5, 2013

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, expressing its highest regard and admiration for the
great skill and courageous dedication exhibited by those who take prompt
and heroic action in an emergency situation; and
WHEREAS, Within every community of the State of New York, there are
certain individuals who, by virtue of their commitment and dedication,
command the respect and admiration of their community for their exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Saugerties
Police Department's Officer Jeremy Rushkoski upon the occasion of
receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious
Police Service -- Lifesaving Award at its Law Enforcement Awards Banquet
which was held at the Diamond Mills Hotel and Tavern in Saugerties, New
York, on Sunday, May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, At 6:00 am on a summer morning Saugerties Police Officer
Jeremy Rushkoski was notified by his dispatch center that they had just
received a call from the Family of Woodstock Suicide Hotline regarding a
man named Aaron who wanted to hang himself and the Suicide Hotline was
not having much success in talking himself down; and
WHEREAS, When Officer Rushkoski arrived on the scene, he saw Aaron in
the front yard of his residence; when Aaron saw Officer Rushkoski he
jumped onto a plastic lawn chair under a tree, placed a garden hose
noose around his neck and kicked the chair out from under himself and
Officer Rushkoski knew he had to act fast; and
WHEREAS, Officer Rushkoski rushed over to Aaron and grabbed him by the
waist and began to lift him up; Aaron began to fight back and resist
Officer Rushkoski; and
WHEREAS, Officer Rushkoski was fighting for Aaron to survive and Aaron
was fighting to keep himself in the noose; fortunately, in the end,
Officer Rushkoski prevailed and got the noose off Aaron; and
WHEREAS, If Officer Rushkoski had not acted quickly it could have been
a grave outcome for Aaron; sometimes confused people make poor decisions
and Officer Rushkoski gave Aaron a chance to live another day; and
WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Officer Jeremy Rushkoski demon-
strated his character and compassion for the welfare of others, person-
ifying the collective concern of public servants and ordinary citizens
across the community of the State of New York who respond when others
are in need of help; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that 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
honor Officer Jeremy Rushkoski upon the occasion of receiving a Police
Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service --
Lifesaving Award on May 5, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Saugerties Police Department's Officer Jeremy Rushkoski.