2017 -- S 0519

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LC002006

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

HONORING LINCOLN POLICE SGT. WALTER PTASZEK, OFFICERS CHRIS HANNON

AND MATHEW PARADIS, AND THE ALBION FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR

EFFORTS IN RESCUING AN ELDERLY COUPLE AND SUCCESSFULLY

EXTINGUISHING A FOUR-ALARM FIRE

     Introduced By: Senators Paolino, Pearson, Archambault, Metts, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2017

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Police and Fire officers in the State of Rhode Island and across America

work diligently and courageously to serve and protect their communities, regardless of the perils

or hazards they potentially face each and every day; and

     WHEREAS, It is eminently important to recognize and thank these brave men and

women, especially when their actions have possible life-threatening consequences; and

     WHEREAS, On Saturday evening, February 11, 2017, Lincoln Police Sgt. Walter

Ptaszek, and Officers Chris Hannon and Mathew Paradis, responded to a call reporting smoke

coming from a century old structure that houses the Albion post office, second and third floor

apartments, an attached convenience store, and a basement social club; and

     WHEREAS, The three Officers broke down the building's door and promptly evacuated a

sleeping elderly couple living in the second floor apartment. Fortunately, the third floor apartment

was vacant at the time; and

     WHEREAS, Quickly arriving on the scene, members of the Albion Fire Department

attacked the fire and with assistance from neighboring towns, was able to fully extinguish the

burning inferno by the early morning hours on Sunday; and

     WHEREAS, In that moment of crisis, without hesitation, the rapid response and

subsequent actions of these three Officers and the entire Albion Fire Department resulted in the

safe rescue of two lives and controlled a dangerous situation; and

     WHEREAS, The laudable actions of these Officers augment our security, trust, and belief

in our local Police and Fire Departments and they are all eminently worthy of our recognition and

praise; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby honors and thanks Lincoln Police Sgt. Walter Ptaszek, Officers Chris Hannon and

Mathew Paradis, and the entire Albion Fire Department for their courageous efforts in saving the

lives of two people and successfully extinguishing a four-alarm fire. We furthermore extend our

best wishes for their future happiness, success, and good health; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Lincoln Police Sgt. Walter Ptaszek, Officers

Chris Hannon and Mathew Paradis, and Chief Richard Andrews, Albion Fire Department.

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LC002006

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