LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trooper Joseph Bleichner upon the occa-
sion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Merito-
rious Police Service - Heroism 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; 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 Trooper Joseph
Bleichner upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chiefs Association of
Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service - Heroism Award at its Law
Enforcement Awards Banquet to be held at the Diamond Mills Hotel in
Saugerties, New York, on Sunday, May 5, 2013; and
WHEREAS, On May 24, 2012, Trooper Joseph Bleichner was on patrol in
the Town of Wawarsing; while driving on Route 209, he was flagged down
by several people informing him of a house fire with a person trapped
inside; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Bleichner rushed to the scene to discover the single
family home on fire with flames shooting out of the second story windows
and smoke escaping from the eaves; and
WHEREAS, Doing it by the book, Trooper Bleichner interviewed the other
occupants who had made it out and learned that an elderly gentleman was
unable to make it out of his second story bedroom; and
WHEREAS, Disregarding his own personal safety, Trooper Bleichner bolt-
ed into the house and ran up the stairs; he had a hard time seeing
through the smoke as he got to the top and it got worse when he reached
the top of the stairs and he had to dodge flames in order to get to the
trapped tenant; and
WHEREAS, While Trooper Bleichner was verbally identifying himself as a
police officer he could hear the screams of the tenant, and the two were
able to find each other; it was a good thing that Trooper Bleichner was
able to locate the stairs he had just climbed because the smoke was now
limiting his and the tenant's vision; and
WHEREAS, Once outside, both Trooper Bleichner and the tenant were
treated by EMS and, fortunately, neither has received any serious or
long-standing injuries; and
WHEREAS, What Trooper Bleichner did was certainly above and beyond;
putting another's life in front of yours is a quality not everyone has
and the rescued tenant was certainly glad that Trooper Bleichner had it;
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 Trooper Joseph Bleichner upon the occasion of receiving a Police
Chiefs Association of Ulster County's Meritorious Police Service Heroism
Award on May 5, 2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Joseph Bleichner.