Putnam Deputy Sheriff Honored For Valor

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kevin Osika received a Certificate of Exceptional Valor from Gov. Kathy Hochul for his heroism in 2018 in saving a man's life.

He was among the 20 nominees for the Governor's Police Officer of the Year Award for 2019. Hochul announced the nominees and the two winners on Wednesday.

Rochester Police Department Officer Dennison "Denny" Wright was the recipient of the Governor's Police Officer of the Year Award and Suffolk County Police Officer Christopher Zonin was the recipient of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services' Lifesaving Award.

Eighteen others received a Certificate of Exceptional Valor.

The governor's office described their acts of heroism. About Osika, the announcement said:

On May 27, Deputy Osika responded to a call for a man walking toward the edge of High Bridge on Interstate 84 in the town of Southeast. Deputy Osika cautiously approached the man, who appeared ready to jump, from behind and grabbed him. As traffic raced by, the man struggled to break free but Deputy Osika wrestled him to the ground and restrained him until he could be transported for help.

After the incident, State Sen. Pete Harckham named Osika his First Responder of the Month for his actions. At the time, Putnam Sheriff Robert Langley Jr. said: "Deputy Sheriff Kevin Osika is an exemplary example of the caliber of the men and women working at the Putnam County Sheriff's Department. He acted with no regard to himself in order to save the life of another and we are all proud of his selfless act."