UTICA, N.Y. -- "This is the street where Tom was killed on," said Utica Police Patrolman Brian French as he drove down Neilson Street.
"It doesn't matter what street you're on, it's hard coming up to the anniversary tomorrow and then being right here again," said French.
Friday afternoon, French is on a regular patrol of the city. Just as he was on April 12, 2007, the day his friend officer Thomas Lindsey was shot and killed. It happened during a traffic stop in the Cornhill section of Utica.
A jury convicted Wesley Molina-Cirino of Lindsey's death, and he now faces life in prison. Officers call the trial's outcome a victory, what happened to their colleague, tragic.
"That consequence of losing your life doing this job became a reality when that happened to Tom," said French.
Friday afternoon, French is on a regular patrol of the city. Just as he was on April 12, 2007, the day his friend officer Thomas Lindsey was shot and killed. It happened during a traffic stop in the Cornhill section of Utica.
Since Officer Lindsey's death a year ago things have changed at the police department. Now two officers are required to respond to high priority calls. But one thing that has not changed, they say, is their commitment to the community.
"I think that Tom's death shows what level of service police officers in the city of Utica are committed to and that they remain committed to the community," said Utica Police Captain Clayton Stephens.
And they said they have grown closer as a unit.
"It just makes you realize that we are a family," said French.
A lesson learned from a life cut short.
A memorial Mass will be held Saturday evening for Officer Lindsey at Our Lady of Lourdes in Utica.