LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring New York State Police Trooper David
Ruderfer upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association 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 New York State
Police Trooper David Ruderfer 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, On March 7, 2012 New York State Trooper David Ruderfer of New
York State Police Highland had pulled a car over on Route 9W in the Town
of Lloyd and had to quickly abandon that vehicle and traffic stop to
save a life; and
WHEREAS, As Trooper Ruderfer and his K9 partner Lane were working on
the traffic stop, an uninvolved car stopped behind them; running from
the car was a woman screaming frantically that her 19 year old son, who
was in her car, had stopped breathing; and
WHEREAS, As Trooper Ruderfer approached her car, he found her 19 year
old son Shane semi-conscious, incoherent and in need of immediate life-
saving treatment; the mother told Trooper Ruderfer that Shane had just
swallowed about 30 sleeping pills and possibly other unknown medications
in an attempt to commit suicide; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Ruderfer knew he had to act fast and lifted Shane out
of the car, slinging him across his shoulder; time was short and Trooper
Ruderfer knew he could get to the hospital quicker than any ambulance
could as he was only minutes away; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Ruderfer put Shane into his patrol car and drove him
directly to the hospital; en route Trooper Ruderfer notified the County
911 Center of his status, asking them to alert the hospital that he was
on the way, knowing that every second counted and that time was not on
his side; and
WHEREAS, Once Trooper Ruderfer reached the hospital, he carried Shane
in his arms into the hospital and turned him over to medical personnel
for the treatment he needed; and
WHEREAS, In the busy life of a police officer, there is rarely a
chance to follow up on closed cases; Trooper Ruderfer had done his job;
he had gotten Shane to the hospital in time and had to move on to the
next call; and
WHEREAS, Commendably, two days later, Trooper Ruderfer took the time
to contact Shane's mother to check on her son and happily learned that
thanks to his actions, Shane was expected to make a full recovery; and
WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Trooper David Ruderfer 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 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
honor Trooper David Ruderfer 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 Highland Police Department's Officer David Ruderfer.