LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring New York State Police Trooper Shaun
Smith 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 signif-
icant 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 those 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 New York State
Police Trooper Shaun Smith upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of a Liberty Medal, the highest honor bestowed upon an indi-
vidual 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, A resident of Phoenix, New York, Trooper Shaun Smith is a
member of the New York State Police Department, Troop D, Canine Unit;
along with his K-9 partner Doyle, he has been instrumental in numerous
special operations, including raids that involve weapons and felony
drugs; and
WHEREAS, On June 2, 2016, around 6:00 pm, Trooper Shaun Smith, an avid
tri-athlete, was off duty and swimming laps at the Northwest Family YMCA
in Lysander, when a 12 year-old Baldwinsville boy, who was swimming with
a friend, suddenly went into cardiac arrest in the pool; and
WHEREAS, As the boy's friend started to pull him to the surface of the
water, Trooper Shaun Smith noticed that the victim's face was blue; he
rushed over and immediately assisted in getting the victim out of the
pool and onto the pool deck, and yelled for help; and
WHEREAS, Trooper Shaun Smith then began Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
(CPR) as a lifeguard retrieved an automated external defibrillator (AED)
and contacted Onondaga County 911; along with two parents, a registered
nurse and a respiratory therapist, the two men continued CPR and applied
the AED to the victim; and
WHEREAS, As the Moyer's Corners Fire Department, the Greater Baldwins-
ville Ambulance Corps, and additional troopers from Lysander arrived on
the scene, the boy began to take heavy breaths on his own; subsequently,
he was transported to Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, where he
regained consciousness and was listed in stable condition; and
WHEREAS, New York State Police Trooper Shaun Smith, through his spon-
taneous and heroic actions, 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 communi-
ty of the State of New York who voluntarily respond when others are in
need of help; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor New York State Police Trooper Shaun Smith 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 tran-
smitted to New York State Police Trooper Shaun Smith.