Assembly Resolution No. 1000

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

MOURNING the tragic and untimely death of Buffalo
Police K-9 Officer Craig E. Lehner on October 13,
2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to convey its
grateful appreciation and heartfelt regret in recognition of the loss of
a courageous police officer who dedicated his purposeful life and career
in faithful service to his family and to the residents of Buffalo, New
York; and

WHEREAS, It is with profound sadness that this Legislative Body
records the passing of Buffalo Police K-9 Officer Craig E. Lehner, who
made the ultimate sacrifice on Friday, October 13, 2017, while
faithfully executing his responsibilities, serving with dedication,
loyalty and compassion; and

WHEREAS, A 34-year-old resident of Buffalo, New York, Officer Craig
E. Lehner died in the line of duty following an underwater training
exercise in the Niagara River; and

WHEREAS, Officer Craig E. Lehner served as a member of the Buffalo
Police Department's Underwater Recovery team, as well as the Buffalo
Police K-9 Unit, sharing an inseparable bond with his German Shepherd,
Shield; and

WHEREAS, Officer Craig E. Lehner valiantly served his country as a
member of the United States Army National Guard; a military police
officer for 16 years, he was assigned to the 105th Military Police
Company at Masten Armory in Buffalo; and

WHEREAS, Achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, Officer Craig E.
Lehner was deployed to Iraq in 2011, and served at Guantanamo Bay
detention facility in Cuba from 2014 to 2015; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, Officer Craig
E. Lehner was awarded more than a dozen medals, including the Army
Commendation Medal, Air Assault Badge, Global War on Terrorism
Expeditionary Medal, and five Army Achievement Medals; and

WHEREAS, A true asset to his beloved community, Officer Craig E.
Lehner, along with his K-9 Officer Shield, gave tirelessly of their time
and energies to Fantastic Friends, a local organization that works with
children with special needs; and

WHEREAS, On Saturday, October 21, 2017, blue pumpkins, which were
each hand painted in remembrance of Officer Craig E. Lehner, sold out
just hours into the fundraising event at the Great Pumpkin Farm in
Clarence, New York; a true testament to the countless lives he touched;
and

WHEREAS, Predeceased by his father, Donald; and two brothers, Thomas
and Jeffrey, Officer Craig E. Lehner is survived by his mother,
Kathleen; siblings, Donna (Jeffrey), Michael (Chris), Linda (Jim), Kerry

(Wayne) and Cherelyn (Andrew); and several nieces, nephews, aunts,
uncles and cousins; and

WHEREAS, Officer Craig E. Lehner exemplified what it truly means to
give of himself in providing vital police services and in keeping with
the noble mission of the Buffalo Police Department; and

WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and imbued with a sense of
compassion, Buffalo Police K-9 Officer Craig E. Lehner leaves behind a
legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a
comforting memory to all he served and befriended; he will be deeply
missed and truly merits the grateful tribute of this Legislative Body;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the tragic and untimely death of Buffalo Police K-9 Officer Craig
E. Lehner, noting the significance of his contributions on behalf of
the citizens of this noble Empire State, and expressing its deepest
condolences to his family; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Buffalo Police K-9 Officer Craig E. Lehner.