LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly upon
the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Superintendent's
Commendation Award by the New York State Police on May 26, 2016

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished values
worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to honor
those exemplary public servants who devote their lives to preserving and
protecting such values; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly upon the occasion of his designation
as a recipient of the Superintendent's Commendation Award by the New
York State Police to be celebrated at the 40th Annual Awards Day Ceremo-
ny on Thursday, May 26, 2016, at the University at Albany Performing
Arts Center, Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly has proudly served as a
member of the New York State Police since November 28, 1994; he is
currently assigned to the State Police Saranac Aviation Station, Troop
H, and resides in Bloomingdale, New York; and
WHEREAS, On March 22, 2015, Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly
received a request from the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC) dispatch to assist in the search for a mother and her
two young sons, who had gotten lost during a hike on Mt. Marcy, New
York's highest peak, on the previous evening; and
WHEREAS, Reacting swiftly, Division Pilot/Technical Sergeant John J.
Heverly, along with two DEC Forest Rangers, arrived at the Saranac, New
York, hangar, and by 7:20 a.m. the crew had launched their rescue
mission in Division helicopter 20SP; unfortunately, heavy fog hindered
their search and the mission was aborted; and
WHEREAS, A few hours later, the fog had cleared, however, winds had
increased significantly; a second mission was attempted, and after a
brief search, Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly observed a subject
waving ski poles on the southwest side of the mountain; he circled over-
head and made visual contact with the lost hikers; and
WHEREAS, DEC command post was advised, and they decided to drop one of
the Forest Rangers into the scene utilizing the aircraft's external
hoist; while overhead, Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly observed
Special Operations Response Team members (SORT) making their way up the
mountain and directed them to the scene; and
WHEREAS, The Forest Ranger and SORT evaluated the lost hikers and
prepared them for hoist extraction; the two boys were lifted 160 feet up
to the helicopter and transported to Adirondack Medical Center (AMC) in
Lake Placid, New York; after refueling, the aircraft returned and
extracted the mother and transported her to AMC in Saranac Lake, New
York; and
WHEREAS, Although all three individuals were treated for varying
degrees of frostbite and hypothermia, everyone survived without serious
injury; and
WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Technical Sergeant John J. Hever-
ly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying the collective concern of public servants across the commu-
nity of the State of New York who respond when others are in need of
help; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those extraor-
dinary individuals who unselfishly devote their lives to the preserva-
tion of order and the protection of others are worthy and due full
praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly upon the occasion of his desig-
nation as recipient of the Superintendent's Commendation Award by the
New York State Police; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Technical Sergeant John J. Heverly.