An officer of the law, a hero

NORTH TONAWANDA - Officer Daryl Truty, a City of North Tonawanda Police Officer, was honored at Tuesday’s North Tonawanda Common Council meeting, with a city proclamation for his endeavors not only as an officer of the law, but also for his heroic efforts while off-duty.

Truty was off-duty July 23, 2012, when he observed an individual drowning in the Niagara River, near the North Tonawanda shoreline. Truty jumped into the river without hesitation in the attempt to save the drowning victim. He provided immediate aid to the distressed individual and successfully brought the individual to a nearby watercraft, ultimately saving the mans life.

City of North Tonawanda Mayor Rob Ortt presented Truty with a City of North Tonawanda Proclamation for Heroism, which read as follows:

“North Tonawanda Police Officer, Daryl Truty, has demonstrated a selfless act of heroism in the rescue of a drowning swimmer...Officer Truty, a veteran police officer for the City of North Tonawanda, has gone above and beyond the call of duty, risking his life for another, and demonstrating the high ideals, skills, and standards that he and his fellow officers in the NT Police Department live by, day in and day out, for the residents of our community.”

North Tonawanda Police Chief Randy Szukala expressed his thoughts on Truty’s heroic deed.

“Not one of us ever took this job as a police officer for the purpose of getting pats on the back or accolades, because if you did - then it’s a long time coming,” said Szukala. “This is certainly a great honor for Officer Truty and it reflects greatly on the North Tonawanda Police Department, so that the citizens know we are on duty 24 hours a day. He [Truty] was off. He could have looked at what was going on said, ‘I am off duty, I am not wearing a uniform.’ The swimmer was about 30 feet, or 30 seconds from not living.”

He continued, “To come to work each day and know that Officer Truty has our back, whether he is working or not, the same as any other officer in this city does - is a great asset. We are very thankful for him.”

A workshop will be held in the council chambers at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The public is encouraged to attend.