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2011 SESSION

11100823D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 829
Offered February 8, 2011
Commending Trooper Samuel Matthew Cochran.
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Patrons-- Armstrong and Carrico
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WHEREAS, Virginia State Police Trooper Samuel Matthew Cochran is recognized for his extraordinary heroism in helping 37 residents escape their burning apartment complex; and

WHEREAS, on the night of January 9, 2010, Trooper Cochran was on patrol in Carroll County when he responded to a fire at an apartment complex that housed elderly residents; and

WHEREAS, when he arrived, Trooper Cochran could see flames and dense smoke coming from the apartment complex; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cochran, along with Carroll County Deputy Sheriff Bobby Lyons and Hillsville Police Officer Ricky Hayes, began to wake up the sleeping residents and escort them from their apartments; and

WHEREAS, the officers then heard a resident screaming from a building engulfed by flames; Trooper Cochran immediately entered the burning building without protective gear and crawled on his hands and knees through thick smoke, flames, and exploding oxygen tanks to find the resident; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cochran was able to help the 71-year-old woman to safety and then returned to search for other residents; moments after the last resident was rescued, the roof of several adjoining apartments collapsed; and

WHEREAS, all 37 residents safely escaped the burning buildings thanks to the efforts of Trooper Cochran and his fellow officers; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cochran was one of only eight public safety professionals statewide to be honored with a 2010 Lifesaving Award from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police and the Virginia Police Chiefs Foundation for his heroic actions; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cochran also received the Superintendent’s Award of Honor, the highest award given by the Virginia State Police, for his extraordinary act of valor; and

WHEREAS, Trooper Cochran received national recognition for his courageous actions when he was named the 2010 Police Officer of the Year by Parade Magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police; and

WHEREAS, heralded as a hero by the residents, his colleagues, and the nation, Trooper Cochran embodies the qualities of bravery, dedication, and service that our nation’s first responders display on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Trooper Samuel Matthew Cochran for his courageous actions and commitment to the protection of his fellow citizens; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Trooper Samuel Matthew Cochran as an expression of the General Assembly’s gratitude, admiration, and respect for his heroic actions.