Florida Senate - 2009                            (NP)    SR 2830
       
       
       
       By Senator Gaetz
       
       
       
       
       4-07375A-09                                           20092830__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution expressing profound gratitude to Okaloosa
    3         County Sheriff Deputies Anthony Forgione, Burt Lopez,
    4         and Warren “Skip” York for their service, sacrifice,
    5         and devotion to duty, which cost them their lives, and
    6         extending heartfelt prayers and condolences to their
    7         families as they grieve this overwhelming loss.
    8  
    9         WHEREAS, the right of the people of the United States of
   10  America to raise their children, to gain an education, to build
   11  and maintain their homes, to maintain their safety, and to
   12  otherwise exercise the freedoms on which this country is based
   13  is protected daily by the members of law enforcement agencies,
   14  and
   15         WHEREAS, this solemn duty borne by law enforcement officers
   16  is fraught with peril and performed at great risk to those who
   17  protect the public, and
   18         WHEREAS, the safety of the people of the State of Florida
   19  has been guarded with honor in Okaloosa County by Deputy Sheriff
   20  Anthony Forgione, Deputy Sheriff Burt Lopez, and Deputy Sheriff
   21  Warren “Skip” York, and
   22         WHEREAS, in the discharge of their duties, Deputy Forgione,
   23  Deputy Lopez, and Deputy York dedicated themselves to the safety
   24  and protection of the people of the State of Florida, and
   25         WHEREAS, when called upon to sacrifice their own safety for
   26  the protection of the people he served, Deputy Forgione
   27  selflessly sacrificed himself in the discharge of his duty in
   28  that he gave his life on July 22, 2008, in Fort Walton Beach,
   29  and
   30         WHEREAS, when called upon to sacrifice their own safety for
   31  the protection of the people they served, Deputy Lopez and
   32  Deputy York selflessly sacrificed themselves in the discharge of
   33  their duties in that each gave his life on April 25, 2009, in
   34  Crestview, Okaloosa County, and
   35         WHEREAS, the families of Deputy Forgione, Deputy Lopez, and
   36  Deputy York have selflessly assumed the burden of lending their
   37  loved ones to the cause of justice and freedom, and
   38         WHEREAS, the enormous cost of this sacrifice has been
   39  shouldered by the families of these brave public servants, and
   40         WHEREAS, the residents of the State of Florida owe a debt
   41  to these men and to their loved ones which mere words can never
   42  convey, NOW, THEREFORE,
   43  
   44  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   45  
   46         That on behalf of all Floridians, the Senate expresses its
   47  profound gratitude to Deputies Forgione, Lopez, and York for
   48  their service, sacrifice, and devotion to duty.
   49         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State of Florida extends
   50  its heartfelt prayers and condolences to the families of
   51  Deputies Forgione, Lopez, and York and prays that they find
   52  solace in the respect and honor that the people of Florida hold
   53  for their loved ones.
   54         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this last full measure of
   55  devotion given by Deputy Anthony Forgione, Deputy Burt Lopez,
   56  and Deputy Warren “Skip” York will not be soon forgotten, and
   57  that their costly sacrifice for the people of the community they
   58  loved will be long cherished.
   59         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that May 15, 2009, be set aside as a
   60  day of solemn remembrance of the bravery of these resolute
   61  public servants.
   62         BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution, with
   63  the Seal of the Senate affixed, be delivered to the families of
   64  Deputy Anthony Forgione, Deputy Burt Lopez, and Deputy Warren
   65  “Skip” York in conjunction with National Police Week as a
   66  tangible token of the sentiments of the Florida Senate.