TROY, N.Y. -- The Troy Police Department is investigating its second fatal officer-involved shooting within eight months.

"Yesterday, we were reminded again of the dangers our police professionals encounter on a daily basis," said Troy Mayor Patrick Madden.

Sunday morning's shooting left 37-year-old Edson Thevenin dead and Sergeant Randy French, a 12-year veteran of the Troy Police Department,
injured.

"There were not obvious bone fractures but they suspect that there's some soft tissue or ligament damage," Troy Police Chief John Tedesco said.

Police say Sgt. French tried to pull over Thevenin around 3 a.m. for suspicion of driving under the influence. They say he drove away from that stop, almost hitting the officer, and then crashing into a barricade on Hoosick Street.

Another officer pulled behind him, and that's when police say French got out of his car and was pinned between Thevenin's car and the patrol car.

"The subject was ordered repeatedly to stop, did not do so, and in defense of himself, Sergeant French discharged his weapon," Tedesco said.

Tedesco says the investigation will remain within the department. District Attorney Joel Abelove assures he has full cooperation from everyone involved as his office will be handling the case.

"We'll continue to work with the Troy police, gather the information, take a look at the entire investigation, at which point in time, we'll make a decision whether or not the matter should be presented to a grand jury," Abelove said.

The investigators expressed their condolences to the family of Thevenin, but maintain that the officer had no choice but to draw his weapon.

"It would appear that the actions of Sgt. French are certainly in line with the law, department policy and his training, and we are fully supporting the sergeant," Tedesco said.

And as the department moves forward investigating another fatal officer-involved shooting, the message to every officer on the force remains the same: "You want them to be careful, because for a department that's not had a shooting in 40 years, to have two within a year, that's just showing the change in mood against police across the nation," Tedesco said.