Senate Resolution No. 3355

BY: Senator KENNEDY

COMMENDING Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. posthumously
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 heroic individuals who courageously made
significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Demetrius T.
Johnson Sr. posthumously 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 February 19, 2016, at 4:00 am, a deadly fire on
Buffalo's East Side broke out at the home of Demetrius T. Johnson Sr.,
his fiancee and their three children; the family awoke to their house
filled with smoke; and

WHEREAS, Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. helped carry his fiancee's eight
year-old daughter to the front of the house; he then went back inside to
find his three year-old son; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters found the toddler in a front room and carried
him outside to where paramedics revived him; two minutes later,
Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. was found in the same room but unfortunately
had succumbed to smoke inhalation; and

WHEREAS, Demetrius T. Johnson Sr.'s fiancee survived as well as her
two sons; her eight year-old daughter, who was burned over 90 percent of
her body, died two months after the fire at Shriners Hospital in
Cincinnati; and

WHEREAS, To his family and loved ones, Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. will
forever be regarded as a true superhero; validating his true character
and genuine compassion for the well-being of others, he constantly
devoted himself to his family, demonstrating great courage and diligence
in providing for their care and welfare; and

WHEREAS, The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission, established by
industrialist-philanthropist Andrew Carnegie in 1904, announced that
Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. would be posthumously awarded a Carnegie Medal
for his heroic actions; and

WHEREAS, 24 year-old Demetrius T. Johnson Sr., a young man of
courage and heroism, justly brought enduring honor to his family through
his bravery; his memory will always remain in their hearts and their
minds; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Demetrius T. Johnson Sr. posthumously 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 the family of Demetrius T. Johnson Sr.