The New York State Senate

J776

Senate Resolution No. 776

BY: Senator AKSHAR

CONGRATULATING Officer Jody Kennedy upon the
occasion of his retirement after 28 years of
distinguished service to the field of law
enforcement

WHEREAS, It is the custom 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; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate
Officer Jody Kennedy upon the occasion of his retirement after 28 years
of distinguished service to the field of law enforcement; this
auspicious occasion will be celebrated at an event on Sunday, May 16,
2021; and

WHEREAS, Jody Kennedy grew up in a loving home and greatly respected
his father, Officer Joseph Kennedy Sr., and his law enforcement career;
also heeding the call to public service, Jody followed in his father's
footsteps, someone he loved and deeply admired, and decided to become a
police officer; and

WHEREAS, After graduating from Broome County Law Enforcement Academy
in 1993, Jody Kennedy began his long and distinguished career in law
enforcement with the Deposit Police Department; from 1993-1997, he also
worked for the Afton Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jody Kennedy then joined the Chenango County
Sheriff's Department in March of 1997; after more than four years of
service, he became a patrolman with the Johnson City Police Department,
the position from which he officially retired in April of 2021; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role as a patrolman, Officer Jody
Kennedy served in the DWI enforcement unit and held the title of
President of the Johnson City Police Benevolent Association (PBA) for 10
plus years; and

WHEREAS, Under Officer Jody Kennedy's luminous leadership, this
fraternal organization diligently worked to promote and assist with
maintaining professionalism on the part of its members as well as
educating the general public regarding the role and function of its
members to the community; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jody Kennedy was also instrumental in establishing
the D.W. Smith Memorial Scholarship to a high school senior in Broome
County, and started and coordinated a Peer Support Team through the
Johnson City Police Union, the first of its kind for the region; and


WHEREAS, Officer Jody Kennedy began his journey with peer support
and suicide awareness for law enforcement in 2008, after attending a
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) training, as well as a training
assisting law enforcement officers who are involved in deadly physical
force encounters; and

WHEREAS, As a Peer Support Coordinator, Officer Jody Kennedy was
working on a piece of New York State legislation in 2018, when he met
Jim Banish, and learned of the New York Law Enforcement Assistance
Program (NYLEAP) and its mission of improving the mental health of all
law enforcement officers and first responders; and

WHEREAS, Through NYLEAP, Officer Jody Kennedy trained police
officers both locally and across New York State, educating them on
suicide awareness, the exposure and impact of trauma and traumatic
events, career-related cumulative stress, and offering resources for
help; and

WHEREAS, Officer Jody Kennedy was always passionate about helping
first responders to break the stigma and to realize that it is okay not
to be okay, and that it is okay to ask for help; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Officer Jody Kennedy was always
ready and willing to lend a helping hand to anyone; he coordinated a
benefit to raise money for sick family members of fellow law enforcement
officers, participated in benefit 5K runs, and was involved with Toys
for Tots; and

WHEREAS, For his steadfast and unremitting commitment to his
profession and community, Officer Jody Kennedy was the recipient of
numerous awards and accolades; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Officer Jody Kennedy truly served
the residents of the Southern Tier with compassion, integrity, and
fairness, attributes which will forever serve as an example for his
fellow officers; 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 Jody Kennedy upon the occasion of his retirement
after 28 years of distinguished service to the field of law enforcement,
and to wish him well in all his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Officer Jody Kennedy.