Senate Resolution No. 1709

BY: Senator KENNEDY

HONORING Officer Anthony LeBron upon the occasion
of his retirement after many years of distinguished
service to the Buffalo Police Department

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers 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 honor Officer
Anthony LeBron upon the occasion of his retirement after many years of
distinguished service to the Buffalo Police Department; and

WHEREAS, After an extraordinary career in law enforcement which
spanned nearly 33 years, Anthony LeBron put on his uniform as a Buffalo
Police Officer for the very last time on December 24, 2021; his final
call was not to a crime or an accident, but to help package gifts and
food for families in need throughout the local community; and

WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York, Officer Anthony
LeBron, now 53, has wanted to be a cop since he was a second-grader at
School 43; he began his career with the Buffalo Police Department in
1989, first working patrol in Precinct 10 and then 15; and

WHEREAS, In 1993, the department combined its precincts into five
districts and Officer Anthony LeBron became the South Buffalo District's
point person for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design; he
taught block club members how to survey their neighborhoods for problems
ranging from crimes to potholes and broken street lights; the issues
would then be addressed by the appropriate agencies; and

WHEREAS, Officer Anthony LeBron was also a member of the crisis
management team, formerly known as the hostage negotiation team, and has
tirelessly served as an advocate for mental health services for police
officers; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Officer Anthony LeBron organized community
forums on topics ranging from drugs, and housing and eviction, as well
as the use of 911 and 311 to connect residents with experts who could
answer questions; he also coordinated events for children, including
opportunities for kids to meet the K-9 teams and to swim with members of
Buffalo Police Department's underwater recovery team in the pool at
Cazenovia Park; and

WHEREAS, Anthony LeBron loved serving his community and was
passionate about preventing suicide among law enforcement, helping form
a volunteer, peer-to-peer counseling program within the Buffalo Police

Department and working on a 24-hour hotline for law enforcement facing
crises; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious tenure, Officer Anthony LeBron
has remained a steadfast helpline and role model for his fellow
officers, truly earning the admiration, affection and esteem of his
colleagues and the community-at-large; and

WHEREAS, Officer Anthony LeBron, with his proficient leadership and
love for the City of Buffalo, truly epitomized the roll of a community
police officer; he tirelessly and selflessly served the residents of his
beloved community with compassion, integrity, and fairness, attributes
which will forever serve as an example for his fellow officers; 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 Officer Anthony LeBron upon the occasion of his retirement, and to
wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Officer Anthony LeBron.