LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trooper Joseph E. Decker upon the occa-
sion of his designation as the recipient of the Brummer Award at the
33rd Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony on May 11, 2009

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those who preserve and protect such values, lauding particularly their
unwavering courage and dedication in the daily performance of their
duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Trooper Joseph E. Decker, of Troop F in Middletown, upon the occasion of
his designation as the recipient of the Brummer Award, the highest award
for bravery a member of the New York State Police can receive; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Joseph E. Decker received this high honor in recogni-
tion of his courage and valor in the performance of duty at the 33rd
Annual State Police Awards Day Ceremony, held at the New York State
Police Academy in Albany on Monday, May 11, 2009; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, Trooper Decker was working a 1
shift in Northern Sullivan County, which was receiving heavy rain; he
was monitoring Little Spring Brook, which flows from the Town of
Colchester in Delaware County in Troop C into the Town of Rockland in
Sullivan County, Troop F; this area had previously been devastated on
June 19, 2007, by a flash flood that claimed four lives and closed State
Route 206 (County Route 7) for five months; and
WHEREAS, At about 2:00 p.m., Trooper Decker and Trooper Stephen K.
Johnstone, SP Roscoe, entered into Troop C as flood waters started to
cross the roadway, threatening motorists and residences; Trooper Decker
contacted SP Liberty to make notifications to close the mountain highway
on both ends and started evacuations; a local volunteer fireman advised
Trooper Decker that he had started to evacuate a family at the base of
the mountain and had been able to secure a two-year-old baby, but the
mother and another child were still trapped inside the house; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Decker responded to the house and saw a woman and
child screaming for help from the front door; both Trooper Decker and
Trooper Johnstone, assisted by two firemen, secured a 150-foot rope to a
guide rail and advised the trapped woman to secure the other end of the
rope to her front porch; Trooper Decker then secured himself to the rope
using a rescue belt; and
WHEREAS, Without hesitation, Trooper Decker entered the floodwaters
and swam 30 yards to the house, which was totally surrounded by fast
moving water; he carried a 12-year-old child from the house to the high-
way, reentered the water, swam back to the house, and was able to carry
the 30-year-old mother to safety; shortly after rescuing her, the front
porch was ripped away from the house and swept downstream; and
WHEREAS, With the family reunited and safe, Trooper Decker and Trooper
Johnstone resumed their evacuation actions, going house to house with
local firemen to advise residents of the danger; the flooding in the
area damaged houses and the roadway, again forcing the closure of the
road; thankfully, though, no injuries or deaths were sustained by
anyone; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Decker is to be commended for his actions; despite
grave personal danger, he risked his life to save two others; his cour-
age, perseverance, and dedication to duty exemplify and are a credit to
the New York State Police; and
WHEREAS, In keeping with the finest traditions of the New York State
Police, Trooper Joseph E. Decker has distinguished himself by his exem-

plary achievement and outstanding performance on behalf of the community
he so faithfully and courageously serves; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated efforts of public servants, such as Trooper
Joseph E. Decker, who unselfishly devote their lives to the preservation
of order and the protection of others are worthy of the full praise of
this Legislative Body and the people of the State of New York; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Trooper Joseph E. Decker upon the occasion of his designation as
the recipient of the Brummer Award at the 33rd Annual State Police
Awards Day Ceremony on May 11, 2009; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Joseph E. Decker.