Senate Resolution No. 2712

BY: Senator MATTERA

COMMENDING William Parmenter 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 sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend the caring concern and heroic acts of individuals who take
prompt and appropriate action in emergency situations, nobly risking
their own lives in an effort to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend Shane Mathis 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 Wednesday, July 3, 2024, William Parmenter, along with
his friends and son, was fishing over 80 miles due south of Hampton
Bays, New York when he heard a frantic mayday call over his vessel's
radio; the emergency request for help indicated a man profusely bleeding
from lacerations in his leg; and

WHEREAS, With extensive knowledge in emergency first response and
maritime travel, William Parmenter sprang to action, racing his boat
approximately 5 miles away to the coordinates of the vessel in need;
once anchored next to the vessel in need, he jumped aboard and began
treating the man in need with tourniquets to stop the bleeding caused
from large fish hooks stuck in his leg; and

WHEREAS, William Parmenter, utilizing the combined training he'd
received from the U.S. Coast Guard, the State of New York, and the
Suffolk County Police Department, was able to properly apply the
emergency tourniquets to both of the victim's legs; his action
effectively slowed the bleeding and activated the body's natural
clotting process, which is necessary for a wound to heal; and

WHEREAS, As soon as the man in need was stabilized, William
Parmenter radioed both the Suffolk County Police Department's Aviation
Section and the U.S. Coast Guard Command Center, providing both entities
with a status update on the victim's condition, while the owner of the
boat headed straight towards the Shinnecock Inlet, heading closer to
land; and

WHEREAS, An aviation survival technician from the United States
Coast Guard later dropped from a helicopter to further help with first
aid and to arrange the medical evacuation; the victim was resultantly
airlifted and flown to Stony Brook University Hospital where he was

released the very next day, due in part to the prompt and effective
response of William Parmenter; and

WHEREAS, A member of the Suffolk County Police Department since
October 2023, William Parmenter now serves as a P.O. in the Second
Precinct, located in Huntington, New York; prior to his service in this
capacity, he was an active member of the United States Coast Guard
(U.S.C.G.) for nine years; and

WHEREAS, William Parmenter is an avid seaman and has earned his
100-Ton Master Captain's License, one of the highest levels a mariner
can reach, requiring extensive training and knowledge to satisfy all
requirements of the U.S.C.G. National Maritime Center; he also trained
extensively, and fulfilled all his requirements, to earn his expert
status as a New York State certified EMT; and

WHEREAS, A truly brave and courageous man, William Parmenter played
a vital role in this extraordinary rescue effort, and should be praised
by the people of this great Empire State for his astute actions in
working to preserve the life of another; and

WHEREAS, William Parmenter, in his spontaneous and heroic act, has
so aptly demonstrated his character and compassion for the welfare of
others, personifying, by virtue of his action, the collective concern of
ordinary citizens across the community of New York State who voluntarily
respond without thought of danger or reward when others are in need of
help; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend William Parmenter 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 William Parmenter.