Honor Deputy Osika's Heroism

Senate Resolution No. 2279 BY: Senator HARCKHAM COMMENDING Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika 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 the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those distinguished officers and citizens 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 commend Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika 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 Monday, May 27, 2019, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department responded to a report of a man who parked his car on the westbound side of I-84 in Brewster, New York, and was standing on the edge of the Veterans Memorial Bridge holding a piece of paper; and WHEREAS, Upon his arrival to the scene, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika found the man with his arms raised, appearing ready to jump off the bridge; and WHEREAS, Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika approached the man slowly before grabbing him from behind and pulling him to safety; and WHEREAS, The 36-year-old man was found to have a suicide note in his possession; he was taken to Putnam Hospital Center for a mental health evaluation; and WHEREAS, The proud father of four including newborn triplets, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika truly went above and beyond the call of duty, placing his own life at risk of falling off the bridge while wrestling to save the life of another; and WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika, in his spontaneous and heroic act, has aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of others, personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of the citizens across the communities of the State of New York who respond without the thought of danger or reward when others are in need of help; 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 commend Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika 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 Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika.