LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending New York State Trooper Joseph E. Deck-
er upon the occasion of his designation as the 2008 Troop F Trooper of
the Year

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding; this Legislative Body welcomes the
opportunity to honor those who serve to preserve and protect them, laud-
ing particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the daily
performance of their duties; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
New York State Trooper Joseph E. Decker upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as the 2008 Troop F Trooper of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Recognized with this high honor for his bravery, Trooper
Decker, based at Troop F's Roscoe, New York barracks, is revered in the
hamlet for jumping into raging floodwaters, sometimes without the
protection of ropes or flotation vests, risking his own life to save
others; and
WHEREAS, On July 23, 2008, Roscoe, a fishing town in northern Sullivan
County, was struck by its second flash flood in two years; Trooper Deck-
er and his partner, Trooper Steve Johnstone, found Robin Francisco and
her 11-year-old daughter, Ali, standing on their front porch, trapped in
their home on Route 206 waiting for help; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Decker and Trooper Johnstone tied neon green rope to
a guardrail and tossed the other end to Robin Francisco, who tied it to
a wooden post on the porch; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Decker then waded through the waist-high raging water
surrounding the house; holding strong against the flow, he bear-hugged
the young girl and brought her safely to Trooper Johnstone on the other
side; he then walked through the rising water a second time, delivering
the child's mother to safety as well; and
WHEREAS, When the rain ended and Trooper Decker and Trooper Johnstone
returned to the house hours later, they found the front porch where
Robin and Ali Francisco had been standing was gone, washed away by the
flood's powerful current; and
WHEREAS, The previous year, on June 19, 2007, Trooper Joseph E. Decker
was similarly among the first responders, assisting the Roscoe Fire
Department with the potential closing of State Route 206, near the
Sullivan County/Delaware County line, due to heavy rains and quickly
rising waters; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Decker, who carried the stranded through chest-high
water, delivering them to higher ground while a vicious flash flood
broke homes into splinters and tossed cars, including his own State
Police SUV, about as if they were weightless, earned an esteemed New
York State Police Superintendent's Commendation Award in recognition and
appreciation of his courage, professionalism and outstanding performance
on that day; and
WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize and commend such outstanding
law enforcement officers as Trooper Joseph E. Decker for their valued
contributions, publicly acknowledging them for their bravery, commit-
ment, and selfless dedication to preserving the quality and fabric of
life; and
WHEREAS, Having demonstrated an unconditional commitment to serve and
protect, Trooper Joseph E. Decker has justly earned the respect and
admiration of his peers, the community, and this Legislative Body, and
is worthy and due full praise and recognition; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend New York State Trooper Joseph E. Decker upon the occasion of his
designation as the 2008 Troop F Trooper of the Year; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trooper Joseph E. Decker.