Senate Resolution No. 2730

BY: Senator MATTERA

COMMENDING Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno,
Shane McCoy, and John McPartland for their
designation as recipients of Liberty Medals, 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 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 Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno, Shane McCoy, and John
McPartland upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
Liberty Medals, 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 the evening of Sunday, June 23, 2024, a 33-year-old
woman was driving northbound on Bread and Cheese Hollow Road in
Northport, Long Island, New York, where she swerved to avoid colliding
with an animal; the driver's vehicle struck a utility pole, and both the
pole and her vehicle caught fire; and

WHEREAS, Shane McCoy was driving home that night when he suddenly
noticed that the black Hyundai had crashed diagonally into the utility
pole, obscuring the street and catching on fire; and

WHEREAS, Shane McCoy heard popping sounds which authorities later
said were the vehicle's tires and windows exploding; as he neared the
vehicle, he observed bystanders running toward the Hyundai, and two men,
Michael Susinno and John McPartland, were already at the car, talking to
the driver through the window; and

WHEREAS, Michael Susinno and John McPartland were two vehicles
behind the Hyundai when the collision occurred; only seconds after they
approached the wreckage, the flames erupted 15 feet high, causing the
utility pole to explode; the two Samaritans could feel the heat of the
blaze which was creeping toward the windshield; they recognized the
urgency of removing the victim to save her life; and

WHEREAS, Michael Pitre, a medical malpractice attorney who arrived
at the scene, also heard the popping sounds; Shane McCoy immediately
pulled his car to the side of the road, put his hazard lights on, and
ran over to the Hyundai to see if he could assist; and

WHEREAS, Shane McCoy and Michael Pitre arrived at the Hyundai at the
same time; the woman had sustained a serious laceration to her leg,

extending below her knee to her ankle, and she was losing blood rapidly;
and

WHEREAS, After helping the three other men carry the victim to the
safety of the other side of the road and position her on the ground,
Shane McCoy secured a bystander's belt, and he and Michael Pitre wrapped
the woman's leg at the thigh to stop the bleeding; at the moment she was
placed on the ground, her vehicle became fully engulfed in flames; and

WHEREAS, Michael Susinno, Orchestra Director at Northport High
School, recognized the young woman as one of his students 20 years ago;
he reminded her that he was one of her teachers when she played the
cello in high school; this familiarity was instrumental in calming and
comforting the traumatized victim who not only suffered a lacerated and
broken leg but also had difficulty breathing due to the impact of the
airbag; and

WHEREAS, The woman was transported to the hospital where she was
treated for non-life-threatening injuries; due to the noble and
courageous actions of Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno, Shane
McCoy, and John McPartland, a precious life was saved, and a seemingly
dire situation had positive results; and

WHEREAS, The victim, as well as her family and friends, will be
eternally grateful for the quick thinking and actions of the benevolent
men who risked their own safety to rescue someone in need of help; the
33-year-old woman's mother, who is also employed at Northport High
School, sees Michael Susinno at work every day; and

WHEREAS, Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno, Shane McCoy, and
John McPartland, in their spontaneous and heroic act, have so aptly
demonstrated their character and compassion for the welfare of others,
personifying, by virtue of their 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 need help; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno, Shane McCoy, and John
McPartland upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of
Liberty Medals, 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 Michael Philip Pitre, Michael Susinno, Shane McCoy, and
John McPartland.