[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E821]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC ACTIONS OF WAYNE COUNTY SERGEANT JOSEPH AYOTTE

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                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2018

  Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sergeant Joseph 
Ayotte, a dedicated member of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office whose 
quick response and expert training saved the life of a fellow officer, 
Rochester Police Sergeant Ralph J. Gagliano.
   On November 26, 2013, Sergeant Gagliano was driving home when he 
suffered a severe headache and subsequently lost control of his 
vehicle, veering off the road. Arriving on scene, Sergeant Ayotte 
quickly assessed Sergeant Gagliano, determining the occurrence of a 
medical emergency. Following transportation to the hospital, the 
sergeant underwent emergency surgery for a brain aneurysm and awoke 21 
days later with no memory of the incident.
   Following his retirement on March 2, 2018, a date Sergeant Gagliano 
may have never seen had it not been for Sergeant Ayotte's imperative 
and professional conduct, Sergeant Gagliano presented Sergeant Ayotte 
with the Life Saving Award. Sergeant Ayotte and his actions that day 
emblemize why we have such tremendous love and respect for our officers 
and first responders. Perhaps the message on the Life Saving Award says 
it best, ``Your Actions on that day will always be remembered.''
   Prior to representing Central New York in Congress, I spent nearly 
my entire professional career serving as a federal prosecutor, working 
alongside our local law enforcement and first responders to improve the 
safety and stability of our communities. I have always held the utmost 
of respect for the difficult jobs of our first responders, and I 
recognize the challenges they face, which grow greater every day. Yet, 
they never shirk their duty and always rise to the occasion. I greatly 
commend them for their dedication to serving our community--a community 
that includes fellow police officer Ralph J. Gagliano--and I thank them 
wholeheartedly for their service each and every day.

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