LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Boyce Coleman posthumously upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest
honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who made significant
contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
caring concern and heroic acts of those exemplary citizens, who took
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so,
helped others to avert life-threatening danger; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Boyce Coleman
posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a
Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New
York State Senate; and
WHEREAS, The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established by
resolution and is awarded to individuals who have merited special
commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of
their fellow New Yorkers; and
WHEREAS, Forty-three-year-old Boyce "Scoop" Coleman was attending a
community event at the park at the Yonkers Pier on Sunday, September 7,
2014, when he heard that a five-year-old boy was struggling in the
water; and
WHEREAS, Without thoughts of his own safety, Boyce Coleman climbed
over a fence along the bank, descended to the level of the water, and
bravely entered the swift-moving river; he quickly swam to the boy,
grasped him, and attempted to return to the bank with him against a
swift tidal current; and
WHEREAS, Other bystanders also entered the cold water to aid in the
rescue attempt, including a young woman who swam out to the struggling
pair; she shouted for Boyce Coleman to pass her the boy and wrapped an
arm around the boy's chest, and used her free arm to swim toward the
bank; and
WHEREAS, Although the current carried them farther up the river, the
young woman was able to reach the shore where she and the boy were
helped out of the water; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, the initial rescuer, Boyce Coleman succumbed
to the raging river; and
WHEREAS, This selfless hero will long be remembered by many for his
caring concern as well as prompt and appropriate action in an emergency
situation, nobly sacrificing his own life to preserve the life of anoth-
er; and
WHEREAS, Known for his bigger than life personality, tremendous gener-
osity, and warm heart, family and friends alike were blessed many times
over by his giving spirit; and
WHEREAS, A loving father, Boyce Coleman enjoyed spending time with his
two treasured daughters and his large family; an avid sports fan, he
loved to cook and indulged in the finer luxuries of life; and
WHEREAS, For his courageous efforts, Boyce Coleman was the recipient
of the Carnegie Medal Award, which recognizes those exceptional individ-
uals who risk their lives saving or attempting to save others; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by Boyce Coleman, Sr., Boyce Coleman is survived
by his mother, Anna McGee (John); his father, Louis Jordan; his two
daughters, Tiara and Taylor (Shantel), two brothers, Michael (Missy) and
Romeo Miller; two sisters, Latoya (Ondre) and Tammy Coleman; his grand-
mother, Victoria; four nieces, Tiffany, Kortnie, Cheyenne and Kayla;
four nephews, Ondre, Jordan, Vincent, and Michael (Man-Man); great neph-

ew Shawn Coleman; two great nieces, Jada and Kennadi; as well as a
multitude of uncles, aunts, and cousins; and
WHEREAS, Boyce Coleman, through his spontaneous and heroic actions,
demonstrated his character and his compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of his actions, the collective concern of ordi-
nary citizens across the community of the State of New York who volun-
tarily responded when others were in need of help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Boyce Coleman posthumously upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual by the New York State Senate; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Boyce Coleman.