Honoring the Heroic Actions of Brian Ballentine, Trooper Gardner, and Trooper Johns

Honoring the Heroic Actions of Brian Ballentine, Trooper Gardner, and Trooper Johns

Honoring the Heroic Actions of Brian Ballentine, Trooper Gardner, and Trooper Johns

Congressman John Katko
Congressional Record: 114th Congress
Extensions of Remarks
October 28, 2015

HON. JOHN KATKO OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Mr. KATKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Brian C. Ballentine of Liverpool, New York and Troopers Michael L. Gardner and David A. Johns of the New York State Police. On September 5, 2015, Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns, with the help of private civilian Mr. Ballentine heroically saved a 4-year old child.

On September 5, Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns responded to an amber alert issued by the Vermont State Police while traveling on the New York State Thruway. As Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns spotted a vehicle that matched the description of the vehicle in the amber alert they received a radio call advising that a private citizen, Mr. Ballentine, had called 911 to report that the van was in fact the suspected vehicle. With this confirmation Trooper Gardner and Trooper Johns were able to stop the vehicle and safely rescue the 4-year old child.

Trooper Michael L. Gardner is a 12-year veteran of the New York State Police. He has been stationed in Troops D and B and has been assigned to the New York State Thruway in Troop T since October of 2012. Trooper Gardner is currently stationed at State Police Syracuse in Dewitt, New York.

Trooper David A. Johns in an 8-year veteran of the New York State Police. He has been stationed in Troops B and D and has been assigned to the New York State Thruway in Troop T since October of 2009. He is currently stationed at State Police Syracuse in Dewitt, New York.

Mr. Brian C. Ballentine of Liverpool, New York has lived in the Central New York community his entire life and I am proud to recognize his exemplary actions in our community.

I am honored to recognize Trooper Gardner, Trooper Johns, and Mr. Ballentine for their heroic actions on September 5, 2015. The 4-year old girl is now out of harm's way thanks to these three brave men. Trooper Gardner's and Trooper Johns's efforts in this situation exemplify the finest traditions of the New York State Police and I wish them continued success in their careers.