Honor Local Hero Walter

Senate Resolution No. 2178 BY: Senator ORTT HONORING Nicholas J. Walter upon the occasion of his 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, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the caring concern and heroic acts of exemplary citizens who take prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, and in doing so, help others to avert life-threatening danger; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Nicholas J. Walter upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; 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, On Sunday, November 13, 2016, at approximately 11:10 a.m., the Niagara County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a vehicle that had struck a tree in front of a residence on Beach Ridge Road in the Town of Pendleton; the caller stated the vehicle was on fire with someone trapped inside and they were unable to get close to the vehicle due to the oppressive smoke and intense flames; and WHEREAS, Fortunately, off-duty Niagara County Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas J. Walter was driving by the scene of the car accident and immediately pulled over to see if he could be of assistance; and WHEREAS, Nicholas J. Walter, along with two neighbors, rushed to the vehicle to assist the conscious driver exit the vehicle; due to the impact of the crash, the vehicle's engine had pinned down the driver's legs; and WHEREAS, With the help of one of the neighbors, Nicholas J. Walter was able to free the legs of the driver, pulling him to safety; immediately after the victim was removed, the flames spread throughout the cabin where the male victim was seated; and WHEREAS, Nicholas J. Walter distinguished himself during this courageous act that involved great risk of imminent serious personal injury, for the purpose of saving a human life; and WHEREAS, A resident of Lockport, New York, Deputy Nicholas J. Walter was hired by the Niagara County Sheriff's Office in May of 2013; he graduated from the Niagara County Law Enforcement Academy in December of

2013, where he earned the Academic Award for his class; and WHEREAS, Active in his community, Nicholas J. Walter is a member of the Wendelville Fire Company in the Town of Pendleton, New York, where he has held the position of Captain since 2014; and WHEREAS, Through his spontaneous and heroic actions, Nicholas J. Walter demonstrated his character and his compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his actions, the collective concern of ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily respond without the thought of danger or reward when others are in need; and WHEREAS, Justly recognized as a hero, Nicholas J. Walter richly merits the admiration of this Legislative Body and his community for his consummate courage and heroic actions; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Nicholas J. Walter upon the occasion of his 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 Nicholas J. Walter.