LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Ulster County Police Chief's Asso-
ciation upon the occasion of its annual Awards Banquet and paying trib-
ute to its 2010 honorees

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers and citizens who 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 exem-
plary contributions and service on behalf of others; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Ulster County Police Chief's Association upon the occasion of its
annual Awards Banquet and paying tribute to its 2010 honorees; and
WHEREAS, This year's banquet will be held at the Hillside Manor in
Kingston, New York, on Wednesday, May 5, 2010; and
WHEREAS, The Meritorious Police Service Award for Heroism recipients
are Trooper Joseph P. Sinagra, Jr. (NYSP Highland), and Trooper Matthew
A. Schaffer (NYSP Highland), and the Meritorious Citizenship Award for
Heroism will go to Bridget Ingram of Marlboro, New York, and Takiyah
Ingram of Poughkeepsie, New York; these four individuals worked collec-
tively to prevent a suicidal man from harming himself; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Joseph Laquidara (Village of Saugerties Police
Department), Officer Sidney Mills (Village of Saugerties Police Depart-
ment) and Officer Joseph Sanford (Town of Saugerties Police Department)
will also receive the Meritorious Police Service Award for Heroism in
honor of their actions in response to a rollover vehicle with six
passengers which was in danger of possibly exploding or catching fire;
and
WHEREAS, The Meritorious Police Award for Investigation will be given
to Detective Debra Montgomery (UCSO) and Deputy Sean McMahon (UCSO); the
Meritorious Citizenship Award in Justice will be bestowed upon Payton L.
Ducker; these individuals worked together in an on-line chat room
conversation which led to the prevention of a school shooting; and
WHEREAS, The SP Ellenville BCI will receive the Meritorious Police
Service Award for Investigation in recognition of solving a 1996 murder
case; and
WHEREAS, Detective Abram Markiewicz (UCSO) is a member of the Family
Violence Unit and has earned the Meritorious Police Service Award in
honor of his conviction of a mother who had harmed her child; also
receiving this award are Detective Fred Holland (Shandaken Police
Department), Deputy Chad Storey (UCSO) and Deputy Hadeer Omar (UCSO) who
collectively solved a homicide in Tonawanda, New York; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Sergeant Gerald Marlatt (Town of Shawangunk
Police Department) and Officer Gregory Drobot (Town of Shawangunk Police
Department) will receive the Meritorious Police Service Award for their
use of license plate readers to aid in retrieval of stolen property and
the arrest of subjects; Deputy Francis Gillespie (UCSO) will also
receive this honor due to his response and pursuit of a vehicle that led
to an arrest after a home invasion/fatal shooting; and
WHEREAS, Corrections Sergeant Charles J. Pollaco, III (UCSO) will
receive the Meritorious Police Service Award for Community Service in
honor of his efforts in coordinating the H1N1 vaccine; and

WHEREAS, The Meritorious Police Service Award for a Team/Unit will be
bestowed upon both the URGENT Team and the UC Crisis Negotiation Team in
recognition of their unwavering and continued service to the community;
and
WHEREAS, The Meritorious Police Service Award for Lifesaving will be
given to Trooper Kevin P. Kesick (NYSP Shokan) who performed CPR on a
man and ultimately saved his life; Sergeant Michael Smith (Town of
Shawangunk Police Department) and Officer Gregory Drobot (Town of
Shawangunk Police Department) will also receive this award after
responding to a structure fire and safely evacuating 11 people; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Swanson of West Hurley, New York, will be
presented the Meritorious Citizenship Award for Heroism; while serving
as a Lifeguard, he performed CPR on a drowning victim until the rescue
squad arrived; and
WHEREAS, Church Communities International will receive the Meritorious
Citizenship Award for Justice for their continued dedication to better-
ing the quality of life for all members of the community; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Ulster County Police Chief's Association upon the occasion
of its annual Awards Banquet and paying tribute to its 2010 honorees;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ulster County Police Chief's Association and the afore-
mentioned honorees.