PRESS RELEASE
April 11, 2008

Legislature Commends Officer Partak for Heroism

The Rensselaer County Legislature commended East Greenbush Police Officer Peter Partak at the April 8 legislative meeting for heroism during a dangerous incident in February.

Officer Partak apprehended Shane Harding, who led police on a high speed chase through busy roads in East Greenbush and North Greenbush. At one point, the apparently suicidal young man drove through the intersection of Route 4 and Route 151-Red Mill Road, and attempted to evade police.

Concerned about the risk to the public, Officer Partak deliberately drove his police cruiser into Harding’s truck. As the two vehicles sat side by side, Harding picked up a firearm, forcing Officer Partak to shoot, hitting Harding in the arm and bringing the incident to an end.

After Harding was in custody, police discovered he was wearing an ammunition vest with dozens of rounds of ammunition, shotgun, 16-inch knife and air pistol.

Members of the Legislature and East Greenbush Police Chief Chris Lavin said that without Officer Partak’s quick action, the incident could have ended in a tragedy.

“Officer Partak bravely put himself in harm’s way and helped end this incident without any harm to any innocent civilians. His bravery and quick-thinking are commendable,” said Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr.

Photo caption: The Rensselaer County Legislature commended East Greenbush Police Officer Peter Partak at the April 8 legislative meeting for heroism during a dangerous incident in February. Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr., at right, describes Partak’s actions as, from left, Partak’s wife Erica, Partak and Chief Christopher Lavin look on.

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