LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending the Five Towns Kiwanis Club upon the
occasion of hosting a celebration to honor the life of the late 1st
Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr.

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to convey its grate-
ful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of a
courageous firefighter who dedicated his purposeful life and career in
faithful service to his family, community and the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend the Five
Towns Kiwanis Club upon the occasion of hosting a celebration to honor
the life of the late 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr. of the Inwood
Fire Department, at the George Martin's Restaurant, Rockville Centre,
New York, on Thursday, March 19, 2015; and
WHEREAS, On Friday, December 19, 2014, 1st Deputy Chief Joseph
Sanford, Jr. and his fellow firefighters responded to a blaze at a
vacant house, which was undergoing renovations, in Woodmere, Long
Island; and
WHEREAS, 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr. suffered cardiac arrest
after the first floor of the house collapsed, causing him to fall to the
basement; he was revived by firefighters and taken to North Shore
University Hospital in Manhasset, New York, where he succumbed to his
injuries and died four days later; and
WHEREAS, A 17-year veteran of the Inwood Fire Department, Joseph
Sanford, Jr. was the department's first African-American 1st Deputy
Chief; after serving the required five-year probation period, he rose
through the ranks, holding the esteemed positions of Lieutenant,
Captain, and then 1st Deputy Chief; and
WHEREAS, 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr. is survived by his cher-
ished wife, Jackie, and his loving daughter, Janisha; and
WHEREAS, 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr. lived his life with
great dignity and genuine grace, always demonstrating a deep and contin-
uing concern for the welfare of others in his Long Island community; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr. leaves behind a legacy
which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comfort-
ing memory to all he served and befriended; he will be deeply missed and
truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Five Towns Kiwanis Club upon the occasion of hosting a cele-
bration to honor the life of the late 1st Deputy Chief Joseph Sanford,
Jr., noting the significance of his contributions on behalf of the citi-
zens of this noble Empire State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Five Towns Kiwanis Club and to the family of 1st Deputy
Chief Joseph Sanford, Jr.