Honor Local First Responders

Senate Resolution No. 913 BY: Senator GRIFFO COMMENDING Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever upon the occasion of their designation as recipients 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 firefighters, 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 Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever upon the occasion of their 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 Thursday, February 28, 2019, Officers Ryan P. Crever and Matthew A. Hall were just beginning their early morning shift at the police station at 301 North James Street in Rome, New York, when they noticed a city fire truck pull up to the pet shop next door after a second-floor resident had called 911 to report a fire shortly after 4 a.m.; and WHEREAS, The two officers went outside, and along with Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki, ran to the pet shop and quickly rushed upstairs to help the man trapped in the apartment; and WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Officers Ryan P. Crever and Matthew A. Hall entered the smoky apartment, and quickly ascertained the fire was burning on the first floor; they found the wheelchair-bound resident and was informed his dog was also in the apartment; and WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki carried the dog to Officer Ryan P. Crever who rushed the pet outside to safety; Firefighter Hojnacki and Officer Matthew A. Hall then helped the victim out of his wheelchair and slide down the very steep and slippery stairs to safety; and WHEREAS, Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki then crawled through the thick, black smoke to retrieve the man's bag of medications; and WHEREAS, Once the man was at the bottom of the stairs, Officers Hall and Crever gave him a walker and he was taken to the police station to stay warm; he was eventually picked up by the ambulance to receive medical attention; and WHEREAS, The true professionals that they are, all three men went right back to work; Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki joined his fellow firefighters in fighting the hours-long blaze, while Officers Ryan P. Crever and Matthew A. Hall directed traffic away from the scene of the fire; and WHEREAS, Due to the astute actions of these heroic first responders, a man and his beloved best friend were saved from certain death; 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 Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the New York State Senate; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Firefighter Joseph Hojnacki and Police Officers Matthew A. Hall and Ryan P. Crever.