Assembly Resolution No. 345

BY: M. of A. Gunther

CONGRATULATING Officer Sean Burke upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
by the Town of Mount Hope on May 20, 2019

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those distinguished officers who would devote themselves to public
service, demonstrating great courage and diligence in providing for the
care and welfare of the citizens of their communities and this great
Empire State; 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; Officer Sean
Burke is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Officer Sean Burke upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition by the Town of Mount Hope at a Board Meeting on May 20,
2019; and

WHEREAS, Officer Sean Burke was successful in apprehending two
fugitives from justice, wanted by the State of Louisiana; and

WHEREAS, On January 9, 2019, Officer Sean Burke, along with Officer
John Skoufis responded to a call for suspicious subjects looking into
parked vehicles and ringing door bells along Route 211 West in
Otisville, New York; and

WHEREAS, When the subjects were initially approached, they gave
false identification and said their vehicle broke down and they were
walking to a gas station to call a friend to pick them up; they also
indicated they would be getting something to eat; and

WHEREAS, Officer John Skoufis became aware of a wanted poster
showing the photograph of the male subject; the two officers agreed the
poster matched the male subject they had encountered earlier; and

WHEREAS, Based on the information they received from the subjects,
the officers responded to Pizza Mania, the closest restaurant to the
original call to see if they were there and to visually verify these
were the wanted subjects; and

WHEREAS, Officer Sean Burke entered Pizza Mania to make a positive
identification of the male subject; after confirming the subject in the
restaurant matched the wanted poster, Officer John Skoufis entered the
restaurant and the two policeman proceeded to arrest the subjects; and

WHEREAS, A loaded handgun was located in the pocket of the male
subject; additionally, he made spontaneous statements admitting his true
identity and for committing a murder in Louisiana and gave a written
statement detailing his involvement in the Louisiana murder; and

WHEREAS, A resident of Otisville, New York, Officer Sean Burke
retired from the New York City Police Department as a Lieutenant in
Charge of Operations; he joined the Town of Mount Hope Police Department
in November of 2018; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his regular patrol duties, Officer Sean
Burke serves as one of the School Resource Officers at the Otisville
Elementary School; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, and their two
children, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and
rejoice in his achievements; 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
congratulate Officer Sean Burke upon the occasion of his designation for
special recognition by the Town of Mount Hope on May 20, 2019; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Officer Sean Burke.