Senate Resolution No. 5135

BY: Senator HELMING

RECOGNIZING all peace officers from the State of
New York who were killed in the line of duty, in
conjunction with the observance of National Peace
Officers Memorial Day

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those individuals who serve to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
recognize all peace officers from the State of New York who were killed
in the line of duty, in conjunction with the observance of National
Peace Officers Memorial Day which was signed into law by former
President John F. Kennedy on October 1, 1962; and

WHEREAS, On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, New Yorkers and other Americans
will gather together to pay tribute to officers who lost their lives or
were injured while they were on the job; according to Concerns of Police
Survivors (COPS), about 140-160 officers are killed in the line of duty
each year, and consequently, their families and co-workers are left to
cope with their tragic loss; and

WHEREAS, On this special day, many businesses and community members
across the State, especially those who lost family members, friends or
colleagues who were local officers, will lower their flags in
remembrance of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary
organizes a national memorial service on the day, drawing thousands of
people from many parts of the United States; the solemn service is
followed by the placement of a wreath at the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.; and

WHEREAS, A peace officer refers to any employee of a state, county,
or a municipality, a sheriff or other public law enforcement agency,
whose duties include arrests, searches and seizures, execution of
criminal and civil warrants, and is responsible for the prevention or
detection of crime or for the enforcement of the penal, traffic or
highway law; it may also include those deputy sheriffs whose duties
include the care, custody and control of inmates in a jail setting; and

WHEREAS, In order to be considered a peace officer, an individual
must be certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training Council
(POST); and

WHEREAS, It is important for each and every citizen of this great
Empire State, and the United States of America to recognize and honor
those distinguished citizens who devote their life's work and purpose to
public service; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense 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
recognize all peace officers from the State of New York who were killed
in the line of duty, in conjunction with the observance of National
Peace Officers Memorial Day.