Senate Resolution No. 414

BY: Senator PERSAUD

COMMENDING Steven H. Pollard posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, Citizens across the State of New York are inspired by and
indebted to our noble firefighters who exhibit courage and bravery every
day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, New York State firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
Nation; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Steven H.
Pollard posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
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, Following in the footsteps of his father and brother,
Steven H. Pollard joined the FDNY, and was appointed to Ladder Company
170 in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Canarsie in June of 2017; and

WHEREAS, Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 6, 2019, Steven H.
Pollard was responding to a two-car accident that seriously injured two
males on the westbound side of Mill Basin Bridge; he was attempting to
cross from the eastbound side to help the two men trapped in the
wreckage, when he slipped through a gap in the roadway and fell to the
ground approximately 52 feet below; and

WHEREAS, Unfortunately, Firefighter Steven H. Pollard succumbed to
his injuries, making the ultimate sacrifice at the young age of 30; he
will truly be remembered as one of Canarsie's bravest; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected men and women are often the first
to respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, an
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, Many firefighters have lost their lives to save the lives
of others; each and every day, they face danger and peril without fear
and perform their job with the utmost concern and professionalism;
Steven H. Pollard was one such firefighter who died doing what he
loved; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Steven H. Pollard posthumously upon the occasion of his
designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed
upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Steven H. Pollard.