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The ceremony, which honored three deputies Randel Hill, Andrew Kristan, and Benjamin Levine, was held during a ceremony last week at the Putnam Sheriff's Substation in Cold Spring.
The three were honored with State Senate proclamations for lifesaving action while responding to an incident on Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, involving an upset individual with behavioral health problems threatening a family member with a knife.
“Here are three individuals who have distinguished themselves with bravery, quick thinking, and decisive action in service of Putnam County residents and others, for which we are truly grateful. Their courage and quick thinking saved lives that day,” said Harckham. “
During the incident, Levine and Hill confronted the man and attempted to place him in custody. As the deputies attempted to subdue the man, Levine was stabbed in the arm, severing an artery.
After the person was subdued, Hill immediately called EMS. Kristan, who arrived before EMS, applied a tourniquet to Levine’s arm and then transported him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery.
Levine and Hill’s actions also prevented the person from causing further harm to members of the public, the department said.
Levine joined the department in 2013 and was awarded a Liberty Medal by Harckham last year for saving the life of a suicidal person on the Bear Mountain Bridge.
Hill joined the department in 2009, and Kristan joined in 2003.
"No words can convey how happy we all are that Deputy Levine was there to celebrate not only his bravery that day but the life-saving heroism of his fellow officers," said Sheriff Robert Langley.
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