LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Bryan Meyer and John Dutka Jr., upon the
occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's
Meritorious Citizenship - Heroism Award on May 5, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
distinguished officers and citizens who, in emergencies, demonstrate
great courage and diligence in caring for citizens of their communities
and this great Empire State; 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 Bryan Meyer
and John Dutka upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Associ-
ation of Ulster County's Meritorious Citizenship - Heroism Award at its
Law Enforcement Awards Banquet which was held at the Diamond Mills Hotel
in Saugerties, New York, on Sunday, May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, What really defines a hero; ask a dozen people and one is
likely to receive a dozen different answers; the dictionary defines a
hero as a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave
deeds and noble qualities; in today's fast paced world these are traits
which can easily be overlooked or forgotten or replaced by such thoughts
as "Why should I stop and help and then get sued?", "That's not my job,
I don't know the victim," or "I'm late picking up the kids"; and
WHEREAS, This could have easily been the case on December 8, 2012 when
an elderly female driver experienced a medical emergency on the road;
around 11:00 a.m. that morning, the woman experienced a diabetic emer-
gency and ultimately went off the road into a ditch, crashing her vehi-
cle into the headwall of a driveway; and
WHEREAS, She was semi-conscious in the vehicle and could not extricate
herself on her own; there was no one in the area and she was in no
condition to call for help on her own; and
WHEREAS, Driving down the road in their own cars were civilians Bryan
Meyer and John Dutka; who knows where they were going, if they were in
good moods or what was on their minds; it is not even clear if they knew
each other prior to this incident, but the deed they would perform would
bond them and the victim together forever; and
WHEREAS, As Bryan Meyer and John Dutka attempted to assist the victim
out of her car, she was so confused she initially refused their help and
began to spin her tires in an attempt to help herself; and
WHEREAS, Bryan Meyer and John Dutka realized the vehicle was on fire
and knew they had to act quickly; like it or not, the woman had to come
out of the car and had to come out immediately; and
WHEREAS, Without any emergency services on the scene, it was up to the
two men to make it on their own and make it they did, successfully
removing the woman from her burning car and bringing her to a safe area;
and
WHEREAS, As the first police units arrived at the scene, they
attempted to extinguish the blaze, but were unsuccessful; the fire went
on to eventually engulf the entire car and thanks to the quick actions
of Bryan Meyer and John Dutka, the victim was no longer in it; and
WHEREAS, This act of heroism, at great personal risk to their own
safety, undoubtedly saved the woman's life; and
WHEREAS, Cars can be replaced but ask the victim to define a hero and
she will likely and aptly name Bryan Meyer and John Dutka, Jr.; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that extraordinary
citizens who unselfishly risk their own lives to help another are truly

worthy and are due full praise for their noble endeavor; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Bryan Meyer and John Dutka upon the occasion of receiving a Police
Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Citizenship - Heroism
Award on Sunday, May 5, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Bryan Meyer and John Dutka, Jr.