Assembly Resolution No. 1293

BY: M. of A. Johns

HONORING Peace Officer Catherine M. Crawford who
was killed in the line of duty, and commending her
distinguished work and meritorious service on July
20, 2018

WHEREAS, The quality and sanctity of community life are cherished
values, worthy of safeguarding, and this Legislative Body is moved to
honor those individuals who serve to preserve and protect such values,
lauding particularly their unwavering courage and dedication in the
daily performance of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Peace Officer Catherine M. Crawford who was killed in the line of duty,
andto commend her distinguished work and meritorious service on July 20,
2018; and

WHEREAS, Catherine was born to the former Beatrice Kemper and Joseph
Crombach on July 20, 1948, in Rochester, New York; she grew up in
Greece, New York, where she graduated from Charlotte High School in
1966; and

WHEREAS, Catherine then married Dennis R. Morrissey in Rhode Island,
and they had a daughter, Kelly Bea; in 1969, the family moved back to
Rochester and she became involved with the Catholic Family Center; for
several years, she and her husband took care of foster children; and

WHEREAS, After divorcing her husband, Catherine worked at the
Hillside Children Center from 1973-1981; on September 16, 1978, she
married her second husband, Lawrence J. Crawford; together, the couple
had a daughter, Cari Kristen, and a son, Thomas Joseph; and

WHEREAS, On October 4, 1982, Catherine M. Crawford began working
part-time in the Jail Bureau of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office; for
the next three years, she worked all three shifts rotating through the
female housing area, central booking, the visiting area, and
occasionally, the male housing areas; and

WHEREAS, Catherine M. Crawford was hired to a full-time position in
July of 1985, and two years later, she was assigned to the reception
area; in November of 1992, she was promoted to Corporal and was
reassigned to the Monroe County Correctional Facility in February of
1993; and

WHEREAS, On March 5, 1995, Corporal Catherine M. Crawford succumbed
to her injuries 21 months after breaking up a fight between two inmates
at the Correctional Facility; and

WHEREAS, On Tuesday, May 15, 2018, New Yorkers and other Americans
will gather together to pay tribute to officers who lost their lives or
were injured while they were on the job; according to Concerns of Police
Survivors (COPS), about 140-160 officers are killed in the line of duty

each year, and consequently, their families and co-workers are left to
cope with their tragic loss; and

WHEREAS, On this special day, many businesses and community members
across the State, especially those who lost family members, friends or
colleagues who were local officers, will lower their flags in
remembrance of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Fraternal Order of Police and its Auxiliary
organizes a national memorial service on the day, drawing thousands of
people from many parts of the United States; the solemn service is
followed by the placement of a wreath at the National Law Enforcement
Officers Memorial in Washington D.C.; and

WHEREAS, It is important for each and every citizen of this great
Empire State, and the United States of America to recognize and honor
those distinguished citizens who devote their life's work and purpose to
public service; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those
dedicated public servants who unselfishly devote their lives to the
preservation of order and the protection of others are worthy and due
full praise for their commitment and noble endeavors; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Peace Officer Catherine M. Crawford who was killed in the line of
duty, and to commend her distinguished work and meritorious service on
July 20, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Peace Officer Catherine M. Crawford.