Senate Resolution No. 2237

BY: Senator SKOUFIS

COMMENDING Highway Superintendent John Alonge,
Harry Freeborn, Don Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and
Police Chief Gerald Cocozzan upon the occasion of
their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal,
the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the
New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate;
and

WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
Resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, On July 10, 2019, in the Town of Marlborough, New York, a
fuel truck overturned, blocking two of the four lanes of Route 9W and
trapping the driver inside; luckily the accident took place in front of
the Town of Marlborough Highway Department and without hesitation,
Highway Superintendent John Alonge, as well as employees Harry Freeborn,
Gary Lazaroff, and Don Fredericks sprang into action; and

WHEREAS, As Police Chief Gerald Cocozza came on the scene; the
highway department was able to use the front end loader to position
Chief Cocozza where he could extricate the trapped driver; immediately
following, the alert team of highway department workers set to work
dumping sand to create a dike to contain the leaking fuel and protect
the adjacent waterway; and

WHEREAS, At any moment, the very real danger of an explosive event
threatened the first responders, and thanks to their selfless response
and quick-thinking, a serious catastrophe was averted; and

WHEREAS, Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza, in their
spontaneous and heroic act, have so aptly demonstrated the character and
compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of their
action, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community
of New York State who voluntarily respond without thought of danger or
reward when others are in need of help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don

Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza upon the
occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate;
and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Highway Superintendent John Alonge, Harry Freeborn, Don
Fredrick, Gary Lazaroff, and Police Chief Gerald Cocozza.