Poughkeepsie Mourns Police Officer John Falcone

A wake for Poughkeepsie police officer John Falcone will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday as well as from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at the Cargain Funeral Home in Carmel. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Saint James the Apostle Church in Carmel.

The city of Poughkeepsie is in a state of mourning today after the death of a police officer, the first to be killed in the line of duty since 1969, and the third such incident in the city’s history.

Poughkeepsie mayor, John Tkazyik, in a news conference this afternoon identified the officer as John Falcone, 44-years-old and an 18 year veteran of the city police force.

“Our officers are hurting”, the mayor  told reporters assembled at Poughkeepsie City Hall.

Two other people were left dead in the tragic string of events which played out near the Poughkeepsie railroad station, starting with a domestic dispute.

Falcone was shot in the head during the wild episode of violence which unfolded in broad daylight, just steps from the shore of the Hudson River.  The shooter, Lee Welch, 27, of Catskill, fatally shot himself after firing at the officer.

The mayor says it is believed that no officers fired any shots.

Welch’s s wife, Jessica, was found dead at the scene, presumably shot dead by her husband.  Their 3-year old child  was being held by the suspect when police arrived on the scene, but was brought to safety after a struggle with police.