Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced that Trooper Donald L. Atkinson and Trooper Lawrence F. Gurdo II are the recipients of the New York State Police Officer of the Year Award. The troopers were recognized for helping rescue a 14-year-old girl from the waters of the Whitney Point Reservoir in Broome County last summer. Both men braved cold water and an extremely strong undercurrent to pull the teen to safety from reservoir dam, near the mouth of a quarter-mile-long intake tunnel.
“Troopers Atkinson and Gurdo epitomized bravery and professionalism in their actions, which saved a young girl from imminent danger." Governor Cuomo said. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I honor them for their heroism and for exemplifying the very best of New York’s law enforcement community.”
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul joined with Michael C. Green, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the State Division of Criminal Justice Services and State Police Superintendent George Beach to present the award to Troopers Atkinson and Gurdo on Governor Cuomo’s behalf. Over 50 people attended the award ceremony at Whitney Point Middle School, including family members of the two troopers and law enforcement colleagues from throughout Broome County.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said, "Police officers are role models in their communities and they make our neighborhoods safer. Today, we commend the heroic acts of two New York State Troopers who put their own lives at risk to save another. Because of the actions taken by Trooper Donald Atkinson and Trooper Lawrence Gurdo, a young teenage girl can now lead a full life."
At around 8 p.m. on July 15, 2015, Trooper Atkinson initially responded to a report of a distressed swimmer in an area of restricted water near the Whitney Point Reservoir Dam in Dorchester Park. Upon arriving, he learned that the girl had been pulled into one of the dam’s intake tunnels, an area where water rushes by at 1,400 cubic feet per second, a speed comparable to that of whitewater rafting rapids. Able to hear the girl yelling for help but unable to see her in the water, he swam to the area dam intake tunnels and began searching.
Trooper Gurdo arrived with a rope and handed it to a passerby to assist Trooper Atkinson as he battled a strong undercurrent to check each entryway. Trooper Gurdo then entered the water, boosting Trooper Atkinson onto a ledge above the intake entryway so that he could continue to search without getting pulled into the tunnels.
On the ledge, the Troopers spotted the girl about 15 feet away, barely keeping her head above water. They were able to reach the teen and pull her to safety on the ledge. A short time later, a fire department rescue boat arrived and brought all three individuals to shore.
State Police Superintendent George P. Beach II said, “Trooper Atkinson and Trooper Gurdo went above and beyond their normal duties last July, when they risked their own lives to save that of a 14-year-old girl who became trapped at the Whitney Point Dam. We commend them both for a job well done, and thank them both for their service to the people of New York State.”
The Division of Criminal Justice Services coordinates the work of the Police Officer of the Year Selection Committee, which reviews nominations submitted by New York State law enforcement agencies.
Division of Criminal Justice Services Executive Deputy Commissioner and Police Officer of the Year Selection Committee Chairman Michael C. Green said, “All of the nominations received by the committee exemplify what it means to serve and protect. The actions of these two troopers, however, stood out from the others. They went well beyond the call of duty to rescue a girl who most likely would have drowned had it not been for their swift action. I am pleased to recognize their heroic efforts on behalf of the committee.”
Trooper Atkinson, who has been a member of the State Police for more than 15 years, is assigned to Troop C in Whitney Point. He is a field training officer, a certified emergency medical technician, and a certified instructor teaching radar at the State Police Academy. Raised in the Binghamton area, his first job in law enforcement was with the Broome County Sheriff’s Office. Earlier this year, Trooper Atkinson was named the 2015 Trooper of the Year by the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Division of State and Provincial Police for his actions during the rescue. He was one of four nominees and represented the North Atlantic Region. Trooper Atkinson continues lives in the Binghamton area where he is an active member of the local volunteer fire department. He and his wife, Lisa, have three children.
Trooper Gurdo has been with the State Police for nearly three years and is now stationed with Troop D in Oneida. Raised in the Herkimer County village of Poland, he graduated from Niagara University and was subsequently commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service in Iraq. Trooper Gurdo resides in the Marcy area with his fiancée Stephanie and continues to serve in the Army Reserves as a Captain.
The Police Officer of the Year Award was created in 1983 to recognize a single police officer, or team of officers, for an exceptional act of valor symbolizing the service of police in New York State. The award was first presented in 1984.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
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