State Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Senator John Bonacic Presents New York State Liberty Medal

Medal Presented to Four Middletown City Court Officers

Middletown, N.Y. – (4/27/12) Senator John Bonacic (R,C,I – Mount Hope), today presented  Sergeant  Robert Kowal, Court officer Michael Mathisen, Court Officer Scott Truex and Court Officer Michele Lynch of the Middletown City Court with Liberty Medals honoring their courage on February 8, 2012 when a gunman entered the Middletown City Court. 

“As someone who, in my former career as an attorney, spent many hours in the courtroom, I know the importance of safety and security measures,” said Senator John Bonacic. “Robert Kowal, Michael Mathisen, Scott Truex and Michele Lynch are heroes, whose courageous actions undoubtedly saved the lives of everyone present in the courthouse that day. The Liberty Medal is the highest honor in the New York State Senate and these four individuals, are without a doubt, worthy of this commendation.” 

The New York State Senate Liberty Award was created in 2000 and is one of the highest civilian honors that a New York resident can receive.  It is awarded by the New York State Senate to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts and achievements on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers 

These four individuals will also be recognized with a New York State Senate Resolution next week in Albany. 

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