Orange County Deputy Sheriff Honored For Heroic Life Saving Efforts After Motorcycle Accident

Orange County Deputy Sheriff Receives 2024 Lifesaving Award

Earlier this week the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services announced that a local Deputy Sheriff would be receiving a high honor.

According to a press release, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Joseph Carey is the recipient of the 2024 Lifesaving Award.

Deputy Carey is being honored for his heroic actions while off duty. In 2024 Deputy Carey was on his way to work when he "stopped to assist a motorcycle crash victim."

The press release states:

Deputy Carey administered critical first aid alongside a lone emergency medical responder. His quick actions, fastening tourniquets and applying pressure, allowed doctors to save the victim’s leg and ultimately his life.

Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said “Deputy Carey’s choice to stop and render aid to a stranger had a profound and lasting impact on the victim and his family."

The victims family has called Deputy Carey their guardian angel saying he appeared at the right time to keep their family whole.

Commissioner Rosado adds "His actions gave a wife more time with her husband and kept a father with his family." Continuing:

It is my privilege to honor his extraordinary lifesaving service with this award. On behalf of DCJS and all New Yorkers, we thank him for his public service and selfless acts.”

More About the Lifesaving Award From The Division of Criminal Justice Services

Since 1984 The Governor's Police Officer of the Year Award Selection Committee, which is chaired by Commissioner Rosado, selects the Police Officer of The Year Award.

The award has been given to a single law enforcement officer or team of officers "for an exceptional act of valor."

However back in 2016, according to the press release, a committee went on to create the Lifesaving Award "to recognize nominees whose heroic actions saved lives."

Deputy Carey became the 23rd member of law enforcement to receive the Lifesaving Award along with 12 other members of law enforcement nominated by nine police agencies.

In the press release Michael Bonse, DCJS Deputy Commissioner, Office of Public Safety, said "“Law enforcement officers are often the first to arrive at life-threatening emergencies, and their decisions can be life-altering."

Bonse adds about Deputy Carey:

Deputy Carey’s courage and quick thinking gave the victim a second lease on life. It is my honor to thank him on behalf of all New Yorkers and to present him with the 2024 Lifesaving Award on behalf of Commissioner Rosado and the Division of Criminal Justice Services.”

A job well done by Deputy Carey!

Motorcycle Safety Stats in New York

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicle has collected statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration detailing motorcycle safety.

The NHTSA states 74% of motorcycle-passenger vehicle crashes were frontal collisions and 7% of motorcyclist were struck in the rear.

Additionally, 57% of motorcyclist fatalities occurred during the day and 90% of accidents happen on "non-interstate roadways."

While sharing the road with motorcyclist, the DMV reminds drivers "a fender bender for you is likely to be a major wreck for a motorcycle operator."

They also want drivers to be aware that motorcyclist "might have to drive differently" on road surfaces with loose gravel, sand, leaves, potholes, grooves in the pavement

Motorcyclists might have to drive differently than you on some road surfaces such as:

• Loose gravel, sand, or leaves
• Potholes, seams, or grooves in the pavement
• Sewer grates or access covers
• Animals
• Railroad crossings
• Steel deck bridges