PRINTER'S NO. 1476
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
98
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY JOZWIAK, WHITE, PICKETT, BOBACK, MILLARD, HILL-
EVANS, KAUFFMAN, SAINATO, HARKINS, ZABEL, KNOWLES, METZGAR,
BROOKS, McNEILL, COOK, T. DAVIS, COX, ROZZI, SCHMITT, JAMES,
RYAN, PEIFER, POLINCHOCK, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DAVANZO, MENTZER,
R. MACKENZIE, SAYLOR, PENNYCUICK, MARSHALL, DRISCOLL,
ZIMMERMAN, MOUL, CIRESI, THOMAS, HAMM, STEPHENS, SMITH,
DELLOSO, DeLUCA, LONGIETTI, OBERLANDER, CAUSER AND STRUZZI,
MAY 7, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, MAY 7, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the lives and service of peace officers who lost their
lives in the line of duty in the year 2020 and extending
condolences to their families and friends.
WHEREAS, 36 U.S.C. § 136 authorizes the President of the
United States to designate May 15 of each year as "Peace
Officers Memorial Day" in honor of Federal, state and local
officers killed or disabled in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, 36 U.S.C. § 137 authorizes the President of the
United States to designate the calendar week in which May 15
occurs as "Police Week"; and
WHEREAS, On May 4, 1963, President John F. Kennedy, by
proclamation, designated May 15 of each year as "Peace Officers
Memorial Day" and the week in which May 15 occurs as "Police
Week" for 1963 and each succeeding calendar year; and
WHEREAS, In 1998, the Congress of the United States reenacted
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36 U.S.C. §§ 136 and 137 as part of the Patriotic and National
Observances Codification; and
WHEREAS, Each year across the United States, May 15 is
recognized as "Peace Officers Memorial Day," and the week it
occurs in is recognized as "Police Week"; and
WHEREAS, During the 2020 calendar year, 12 peace officers in
this Commonwealth died in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, On January 2, 2020, Police Officer Michael L. Henry,
Jr., died from complications sustained in a motorcycle accident
while participating in an annual training course; and
WHEREAS, Officer Henry was a 25-year veteran of the Derry
Township Police Department and a United States Army veteran; and
WHEREAS, On March 13, 2020, Sergeant James R. O'Connor, IV,
was shot and killed while apprehending a homicide suspect; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant O'Connor was a 23-year veteran of the
Philadelphia Police Department and a 15-year member of the SWAT
team; and
WHEREAS, On April 5, 2020, Captain James Walker died from
complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting the virus
while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Captain Walker served 32 years with the Philadelphia
Police Department; and
WHEREAS, On April 11, 2020, Chief of Police Robert William
Sealock succumbed to complications of an asthma attack following
the foot pursuit of a wanted subject; and
WHEREAS, Chief Sealock was a United States Navy veteran and
served 23 years with the Aliquippa City Police Department; and
WHEREAS, On April 12, 2020, Interim Police Chief Mark J.
Romutis died from complications of COVID-19 after contracting
the virus while on duty; and
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WHEREAS, Chief Romutis enjoyed a 43-year career in law
enforcement culminating in becoming Interim Police Chief of the
Ambridge Borough Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Chief Romutis also served with the Upper St. Clair
Township Police Department, Pittsburgh Police Department and
Ellwood City Police Department; and
WHEREAS, On June 3, 2020, Sergeant Jose Manuel Nova died from
complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting the virus
while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Nova was a 27-year veteran of the
Philadelphia Police Department, assigned to the 9th Police
District; and
WHEREAS, On June 6, 2020, Park Ranger Thomas E. Booz died
from complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting the
virus while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Park Ranger Booz served as a park ranger with the
Bucks County Department of Parks and Recreation for 32 years;
and
WHEREAS, On June 13, 2020, Police Officer Dale Thomas
Provins, Jr., succumbed to injuries sustained when his patrol
vehicle was struck head-on by an intoxicated driver; and
WHEREAS, Officer Provins was a 15-year veteran of the
Jefferson Hills Borough Police Department; and
WHEREAS, Officer Provins was a United States Marine Corps and
Pennsylvania Army National Guard veteran who served in Operation
Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield; and
WHEREAS, On November 23, 2020, Police Officer Tab Ali died
from complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting the
virus while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Officer Ali was a 25-year veteran of the
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Philadelphia Police Department, assigned to the 5th Police
District; and
WHEREAS, On November 28, 2020, Deputy Sheriff John J. "Sonny"
Kuhar, Jr., died from complications of COVID-19 after presumably
contracting the virus while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Kuhar enjoyed a career in law
enforcement that spanned 60 years; and
WHEREAS, Deputy Sheriff Kuhar served with the Vintondale
Borough Police Department, Nanty Glo Borough Police Department,
Blacklick Township Police Department and Cambria County
Sheriff's Office; and
WHEREAS, On December 3, 2020, Captain Frank R. Milillo, Sr.,
died from complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting
the virus while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Captain Milillo served with the Philadelphia Police
Department for 31 years and commanded the Southwest Detective
Division; and
WHEREAS, On December 23, 2020, Sergeant Joseph M. Youse died
from complications of COVID-19 after presumably contracting the
virus while on duty; and
WHEREAS, Sergeant Youse served with the Philadelphia Police
Department for 39 years; and
WHEREAS, The bravery and selflessness demonstrated by the
fallen officers is exemplary and displays the service and
sacrifice of those who are tasked with protecting individuals
and institutions of democracy; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the lives
and service of peace officers who recently lost their lives in
the line of duty in the year 2020 and extend condolences to
their families and friends.
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