"He was very compassionate about his job. He was very compassionate about everybody," said Dorinda Germano, a police department employee.
That is why his loss is so deeply felt.
Police Officer John Falcone was shot and killed in the line of duty as he tried to defuse what had already become a deadly confrontation with a man, who police believe had killed his wife at the Poughkeepsie train station.
The outpouring of grief brought hundreds to a candle light vigil to remember a compassionate man who by all accounts had always wanted to be a police officer.
Now others in that family, who proudly wear the badge of law enforcement, turn out at this wake to pay their respects.
"The people in the community just enjoyed and enjoyed his calming approach," Poughkeepsie Mayor John Tkazyik.
They waited in the cold to pay their condolences to Officer Falcone's family, officers, fellow workers and dignitaries.
Calling hours for Officer John Falcone will continue Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Cargain Funeral Home in Carmel, N.Y. in Putnam County.
His funeral will be held on Thursday.
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