House concurrent resolution congratulating Ryan and Gabrielle Viens on their life-saving rescue support for Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Nicholas Pillsbury

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Brennan and 2 co-sponsors

The Vermont General Assembly commends Ryan and Gabrielle Viens for their off-duty, lifesaving actions in aiding a deputy during a dangerous incident.

Ceremonial Reading

Purpose

To congratulate Ryan and Gabrielle Viens for their life-saving rescue support during an incident involving Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Nicholas Pillsbury.

Recognizes the quick and effective off-duty response by the Viens, a husband-and-wife volunteer firefighter team from South Hero.

Recommends that the General Assembly acknowledge the Viens’ actions as exemplary public safety service.

Key Provisions

Formal Resolution: The bill is a House concurrent resolution that expresses congratulations from the Vermont General Assembly to the Viens.

Narrative of Incident: The resolution recounts the events of March 4, 2026, including:

Sgt. Pillsbury conducted a traffic stop on Route 2 in South Hero for a stop-sign violation.
The stopped vehicle accelerated, made a U-turn, and drove toward the deputy, dragging Pillsbury under the vehicle.
A tree on the Viens’ property halted the vehicle’s trajectory.
Ryan Viens prevented the operator from backing off the property, heard Pillsbury’s calls for help, and both Viens assisted alongside emergency responders during the extraction.

Recognition and Award Recommendation: Grand Isle County Sheriff Ray Allen recommended that the Viens be awarded the State Lifesaver of the Year Award; the resolution formalizes recognition by the General Assembly.

Affected Parties

Primary individuals: Ryan Viens and Gabrielle Viens (off-duty volunteer firefighters from South Hero).

Public safety: Sgt. Nicholas Pillsbury (Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department).

Local government/agency: Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department; Office of the Secretary of State (as the entity to transmit the resolution to the Viens).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status: On Consent Calendar as of April 23, 2026.

Action: The resolution is a ceremonial acknowledgment and does not amend statutes or create new programs.

Process: If passed, the Secretary of State is directed to send a copy of the resolution to Ryan and Gabrielle Viens.

Effective Date: Not specified; as a concurrent resolution, it generally takes effect upon passage and signature/approval, serving as an honorary recognition.

Additional Notes

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Michael Morgan (and Rep. Leland Morgan) and Sen. Patrick Brennan, with co-sponsorship from all named sponsors.

The resolution emphasizes the importance of off-duty and community-based first responders in public safety outcomes.

If you’d like, I can add a brief comparison to typical Vermont concurrent resolutions or provide a one-paragraph layperson-friendly version for public-facing materials.

Bill