2013-J1887
LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Chief Louis Barbaria upon the occasion
of receiving a Police Chief's Association of Ulster County's Retired
Chief's 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 Chief Louis
Barbaria upon the occasion of receiving a Police Chief's Association of
Ulster County's Retired Chief's 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, Louis Barbaria began his career in law enforcement more than
40 years ago on November 1, 1970 as a police officer for the Village of
Saugerties, New York; in 1972, after serving in the village for nearly
two years, he became one of the first full-time police officers in the
Town of Saugerties; he subsequently moved to the New York State Police,
where he ultimately attained the rank of Major before retiring with 29
years of outstanding service to New York State; and
WHEREAS, Louis Barbaria did not stay away for too long, however,
returning to his roots on December 9, 2009 to be named the Town of
Saugerties Police Department's Chief of Police; and
WHEREAS, Louis Barbaria began working for the New York State Police on
February 20, 1978, the day after he left the Town of Saugerties Police
Department, where he had been a Sergeant; originally assigned to the
Hurley Barracks as a Trooper, Louis Barbaria later became an Investi-
gator assigned to the Federal Drug Enforcement Task Force; and
WHEREAS, From there, he went to the State Police headquarters in Alba-
ny, where he worked in a special investigations unit; Louis Barbaria
then was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to the Ray Brook Barracks
near the Canadian border; and
WHEREAS, After his stint in Ray Brook, Louis Barbaria spent three
years working in Internal Affairs at the State Police Headquarters in
Albany; he then was promoted to Captain and sent back north, where he
was assigned to the State Police's Thruway patrol as a Zone Commander
and then returned to Troop F, which includes Ulster and Greene Counties;
and
WHEREAS, Louis Barbaria was promoted to Major in 2004 and retired from
the State Police on December 30, 2005; and
WHEREAS, Prior to becoming Chief in Saugerties and shortly after
retiring from the State Police, Louis Barbaria was tapped by Saugerties
Town Officials to oversee the consolidation committee which was tasked
with conducting a study on the feasibility of consolidating the village
and the town Police Departments and, on January 1, 2012 he successfully
transitioned both agencies into one expanded department; and
WHEREAS, As he retires after a long and distinguished career, Louis
Barbaria truly merits the Police Chief's Association of Ulster County's
Retired Chief's Award in recognition and appreciation of the many
contributions he has made to the Law Enforcement profession, not just in
Ulster County, but throughout the State of New York as well; 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 Chief Louis Barbaria upon the occasion of receiving a Police
Chief's Association of Ulster County's Retired Chief's Award on May 5,
2013; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Chief Louis Barbaria.