Senate Resolution No. 2399

BY: Senator YOUNG

COMMENDING Lieutenant Liza-J Bobseine upon the
occasion of her 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 have made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their
valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly
acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among
us all; 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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Lieutenant
Liza-J Bobseine of the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation's Division of Law Enforcement upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Liberty Medal, the highest honor
bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and

WHEREAS, At approximately 5:20 p.m., a full 50 minutes after sunset
on November 29, 2016, Environmental Conservation Officers James Davey
and Lt. Liza-J Bobseine were investigating a trespassing complaint and
reports of illegal hunting with shots fired; and

WHEREAS, During the course of their investigation the two officers
came upon fresh tire tracks in a field in the Town of Gallatin in
Columbia County; while walking through the field under heavy fog and
rain, they heard voices and bravely decided to approach them, at which
point, Officer Davey was shot by a bullet from a .30-30 rifle, suffering
significant damage to his pelvis and associated blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Bobseine, acting quickly, was able to apply a compress
to the severe wound for more than one hour and call for medical support;
her swift response prevented significant loss of blood that would have
otherwise cost Officer Davey his life; and

WHEREAS, While attending to Officer Davey, Lt. Bobseine was also
able to keep the suspects under control, a half-mile into a field; her
actions were instrumental in the apprehension of the shooter and another
suspect; the shooter was charged with second-degree assault, after
claiming he mistook the officers for a deer; and

WHEREAS, Officer Davey underwent extensive surgery at Mid-Hudson
Hospital to repair damage from the wound and was then placed in the
Intensive Care Unit in stable condition; and

WHEREAS, Lt. Liza-J Bobseine, a 10-year veteran of the Environmental
Conservation Police, is no stranger to life-saving heroics; in 2011,
while stationed on Long Island, Lt. Bobseine was credited with saving
the life of a 66-year-old woman who was sitting in her car in a parking
lot and had stopped breathing; and

WHEREAS, A native of Cattaraugus County, Lt. Bobseine comes from a
long line of public servants; her father and grandfather were both State
Environmental Conservation Officers, and her brother is also an
Environmental Conservation Officer; in 2011, she was honored as Officer
of the Year by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, and was
commissioned as Lieutenant in 2013; and

WHEREAS, Prior to her service as an Environmental Conservation
Officer, Lt. Bobseine was a Forester with the DEC's Division of Lands
and Forests; she holds a master's degree in forestry from the SUNY
Environmental Science and Forestry School; while at SUNY ESF, she
captained the Timber Sports Teams to several state and national titles,
and was personally undefeated in her signature event, the pole climb;
and

WHEREAS, Lieutenant Liza-J Bobseine should be regarded as a true
hero; she has continually devoted herself to public service,
demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the care and
welfare of the citizens of this great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Praised for maintaining her composure and her professional
conduct, Lieutenant Liza-J Bobseine demonstrated her true character and
genuine compassion for the welfare of others; 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
exemplary contributions and service on behalf of others; Lieutenant
Liza-J Bobseine is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation 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 Lieutenant Liza-J Bobseine upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an
individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lieutenant Liza-J Bobseine.