Assembly Resolution No. 1236

BY: M. of A. Barclay

HONORING Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood upon the
occasion of his designation as recipient of the
Superintendent's Commendation Award by the New York
State Police on May 30, 2018

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Trooper
Aaron C. Eastwood upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of
the Superintendent's Commendation Award by the New York State Police on
Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at the State Police Academy in Albany, New
York; and

WHEREAS, On May 16, 2017, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood responded to a
call of a boat in distress at the Oneida River Dam located in
Caughdenoy, in which two males were trapped onboard, one of them being a
paraplegic; and

WHEREAS, When he reached the waterway, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood
observed the boat taking on water, as it was caught in the current and
pinned in one of the floodgate channels; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood, upon arriving on the scene,
sprang into action, jumping a fence surrounding the structure, climbing
down the steel supports on the side of the dam and jumping onboard,
thinking he could level the boat with his weight; and

WHEREAS, While on the boat, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood crawled under
the flood channel to the east side of the dam, however, once the boat
passed through the channel, the current was still too strong to pull it
to shore; and

WHEREAS, The boat, which did not have any paddles onboard and had
damaged primary and trolling motors, continued to take on water,
drifting uncontrollably down the river; at this time, the boat's
passengers had been exposed to near-freezing water temperatures for 30
minutes; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood then discovered a strap on board,
tied it to a cleat on the bow and dove into the river; while trying to
swim to shore, he ran out of line, struggling to reach land despite the
heavy weight of the craft and the strength of the current; and

WHEREAS, Eventually, the boat passed under another bridge and
Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood was able to find a calm, shallow spot near a
bridge abutment where he could finally stand up; and

WHEREAS, Upon reaching shore, members of the Caughdenoy Volunteer
Fire Department, along with Oswego County Sheriff's Deputy Phillip

Ilardi helped pull the boat with the two males on board safely to shore;
and

WHEREAS, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood's heroic and selfless act in a
dire situation are in keeping with the highest traditions of the New
York State Police; and

WHEREAS, Through his heroic actions, Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood
demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying the collective concern of public servants across the
community 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
extraordinary individuals 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 Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Superintendent's Commendation Award by the New York
State Police on May 30, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Trooper Aaron C. Eastwood.