LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Suffolk County Police Officer Mark L.
Collins for his heroic actions in the line of duty on March 12, 2015

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those individuals who serve to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who would devote them-
selves 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, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Suffolk County Police Officer Mark L. Collins for his heroic actions in
the line of duty on Thursday, March 12, 2015; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize and commend such outstanding
law enforcement officers as Mark Collins for their valued contributions
to the community; and
WHEREAS, Mark Collins began his illustrious career with the Suffolk
County Police Department on October 20, 2003; he has valiantly served in
the Second Precinct Patrol Section, the Public Information Section, the
Anti-Crime Enforcement Section, and since March 11, 2013, he has been
assigned to the Second Precinct Crime Section; and
WHEREAS, A resident of North Bellmore, New York, Officer Mark L.
Collins and another gang unit officer pulled a car over heading east on
Jericho Turnpike in Huntington Station for a traffic infraction shortly
after midnight on March 12, 2015; and
WHEREAS, After recognizing the male in the left rear seat of the vehi-
cle as a gang member with a long history of violence in Suffolk County,
Officer Mark L. Collins ordered the man out of the car; the man imme-
diately fled the scene; and
WHEREAS, Officer Mark L. Collins, giving chase to the fleeing suspect,
caught up with him at a home and hit him twice in the back with Taser
probes; the man fell to the ground, during which time Officer Collins
got onto the suspect's back and tried to handcuff him; and
WHEREAS, While actively trying to detain him, the suspect turned onto
his side and opened fire with a .38-caliber revolver, shooting Officer
Mark L. Collins in the neck and hip; miraculously, he was able to drag
himself next to a stoop and position himself so he was covered as much
as possible with his bulletproof vest; and
WHEREAS, Once again, the armed suspect fled the scene, and was later
tracked down by officers with police dogs nearly a quarter-mile away
where they found him in a shed and made the arrest; and
WHEREAS, An esteemed 12-year veteran of the Suffolk County Police
Department, Mark L. Collins also serves as a Commissioner of the North
Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure with the Suffolk County Police Department,
Officer Mark L. Collins has been the proud recipient of numerous awards
and recognitions some of which include a Bravery Gold Medal, Meritorious
Police Service Medal, Cop of the Year Award, Cop of the Month Award, two
Department Recognition Awards, seven Letters of Appreciation and four
Command Recognition Awards; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his loving wife, Nicole, who
feels privileged to be a part of his life and rejoices in his achieve-
ments; 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; Officer Mark L.
Collins is such an individual; 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 Suffolk County Police Officer Mark L Collins for his heroic
actions in the line of duty on March 12, 2015; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Officer Mark L. Collins.