Photo: Senator Kathy Marchione & Senator Catharine Young Proudly Honor State Environmental Conservation Officers Lt. Liza-J Bobseine and James Davey with the Senate Liberty Medal for the Officers’ Heroism in the Line of Duty

For Release: Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Photo: Pictured are New York State Senator Kathy Marchione and her Columbia County Constituents State Environmental Conservation Officer James Davey and Lt. Liza-J Bobseine who received the New York State Senate Liberty Medal from Senator Marchione and Senator Catharine Young for their heroism in the line of duty. Pictured, from left to right are New York State Senator Kathy Marchione; State Environmental Conservation Officer James Davey; State Environmental Conservation Officer Lt. Liza-J Bobseine and New York State Senator Catharine Young.

Albany, NY –Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I,Reform-Halfmoon), Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, and Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I- 57th District), Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, recently presented State Environmental Conservation Officers Lt. Liza-J Bobseine and James Davey with the Senate Liberty Medal in recognition of the officers’ heroism in line of duty.

After sunset on November 29, 2016, Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) James Davey and Lt. Liza-J Bobseine investigated a trespassing complaint and reports of illegal hunting with shots fired. As the officers approached the illegal hunters, a shot was fired from a .30-30 rifle. The bullet struck ECO Davey, resulting in significant damage to his pelvis and associated blood vessels. Lt. Bobseine, acting quickly, was able to apply a compress to the significant wound and maintained pressure on the injury for more than one hour, while also calling for medical support. While attending to Officer Davey, Lt. Bobseine was also able to keep the suspect under control, a half-mile into the field.

Officer Davey was sent to Mid-Hudson Hospital where he underwent extensive surgery to repair damage and was placed in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit in stable condition. Lt. Bobseine’s swift response was later credited with preventing significant loss of blood that could have otherwise cost Officer Davey his life. Lt. Bobseine’s actions were instrumental in the apprehension of shooter, Alan Blanchard, and another suspect. Blanchard would later be charged with second-degree assault, after claiming he mistook the officers for a deer.

Lt. Liza-J Bobseine, a 10-year veteran of the Environmental Conservation Police and native of Cattaraugus County, comes from a long line of public servants. Her father and grandfather were both State Environmental Conservation Officers, and her brother is also an Environmental Conservation Officer. While stationed on Long Island, Lt. Bobseine was credited with saving the life of a 66-year-old woman who was sitting in her car in a parking lot and had stopped breathing. For her heroism, Lt. Bobseine was honored as “Officer of the Year” by the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association. Prior to her service as an Environmental Conservation Officer, Lt. Bobseine was a Forester with the DEC’s Division of Lands and Forests. She holds a Master’s Degree in Forestry from the SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry School and was commissioned as Lieutenant in 2013.

A 12-year veteran of the force, ECO James Davey graduated from the DEC Basic Police Academy in 2005. He spent many years on the Marine Enforcement Unit in New York City, where he gained a reputation as an excellent officer. ECO Davey transferred to Westchester and Putnam County in 2008, where he expanded his role in public outreach and education, becoming very familiar with local sporting groups and often participating in their events. After relocating to Columbia County, ECO Davey again enhanced his role in public outreach and education, gaining recognition for his assistance at the annual Columbia County Veterans Pheasant Hunt, which is affiliated with the Wounded Warrior Project. He is currently assigned to patrol Columbia County, acts as a Division of Criminal Justice Services-Certified Police Instructor and recently became a Certified Firearms instructor for the DEC.

The New York State Senate Liberty Medal was established in 2014 as the highest honor a Senator can bestow upon a constituent. It is awarded to individuals who have merited special commendation for exceptional, heroic, or humanitarian acts on behalf of their fellow New Yorkers, exemplified with its award to Officers Lt. Liza-J Bobseine and James Davey.

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