Senate Resolution No. 913

BY: Senator GRIFFO

COMMENDING Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police
Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever 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 custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished firefighters, officers and citizens who would
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
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan
P. Crever upon the occasion of their 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, On Thursday, February 28, 2019, Officers Ryan P. Crever and
Matthew A. Hall were just beginning their early morning shift at the
police station at 301 North James Street in Rome, New York, when they
noticed a city fire truck pull up to the pet shop next door after a
second-floor resident had called 911 to report a fire shortly after 4
a.m.; and

WHEREAS, The two officers went outside, and along with Firefighter
Joseph Hojnacki, ran to the pet shop and quickly rushed upstairs to help
the man trapped in the apartment; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Officers Ryan P. Crever and
Matthew A. Hall entered the smoky apartment, and quickly ascertained the
fire was burning on the first floor; they found the wheelchair-bound
resident and was informed his dog was also in the apartment; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki carried the dog to Officer Ryan
P. Crever who rushed the pet outside to safety; Firefighter Hojnacki and
Officer Matthew A. Hall then helped the victim out of his wheelchair and
slide down the very steep and slippery stairs to safety; and

WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki then crawled through the thick,
black smoke to retrieve the man's bag of medications; and

WHEREAS, Once the man was at the bottom of the stairs, Officers Hall
and Crever gave him a walker and he was taken to the police station to
stay warm; he was eventually picked up by the ambulance to receive
medical attention; and

WHEREAS, The true professionals that they are, all three men went
right back to work; Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki joined his fellow
firefighters in fighting the hours-long blaze, while Officers Ryan P.
Crever and Matthew A. Hall directed traffic away from the scene of the
fire; and

WHEREAS, Due to the astute actions of these heroic first responders,
a man and his beloved best friend were saved from certain death; 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
commend Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall
and Ryan P. Crever 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 Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew
A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever.