WHITESBORO, N.Y. -- "I'm proud of who he was, who he became," said Mark Major of his friend, fallen Whitesboro Police Officer Kevin Crossley.

Protecting people is all Whitesboro Police Officer Kevin Crossley wanted to do, and following an outpouring of community support, Crossley's friends are thanking others for recognizing that.

"They know that we're a small agency, but they know that we're there 24/7, 365 for them, and they know that Kevin was one of those guys in blue that was there for them so they're being there for him now," said Peter Sobel, a friend of Crossley's.

"He was a fantastic fireman. He was a fantastic police officer, but that's what he enjoyed doing. He loved helping people," said Frank Candella, another close friend of Kevin Crossley.

Crossley died earlier this week while on patrol after a crash with a truck just a block away from the police station. Flags are at half-staff at the station.

There was a procession the day after in his honor.

"Standing at the funeral home, you could see his house where he grew up down the road, and I saw the trucks going by his house and I broke down," Major said. "That was the first time I really broke down."

Whitesboro Fire Chief Peter Sobel works part-time with the Whitesboro Police Department, and says he was also one of Crossley's best friends.

Sobel said, "If somebody needed to be taken into custody and was resisting, he was the guy that you would want to grab them and cuff them up. He could do that. He would do that. It was his job. But he was compassionate with people, too."

Not only are his friends remembering Crossley as a respected police officer, but also as a guy who knew how to have a good time.

Major said, "I can't even imagine him arresting somebody. He'd be friends with that guy when he got out of jail. That's the type of person he was."

"Started out as a mutual friend that I met him through and then from there we became buddies. He was the kind of guy you just easily get along with," said Michael Scarafile, another friend of Crossley's.

Candella said Crossley loved motors. "When we're not working, we all snowmobile together, ride motorcycles together."

Crossley's friends also said he loved the Village of Whitesboro.

"This was his area. It's our area. It's our stomping grounds. The grounds will be stomped by two less feet, unfortunately," Sobel said.

Crossley is survived by his parents, girlfriend, and lots of friends. His friends said Crossley liked saying, "Send it!," so they plan to do so in his memory.

Calling hours for Officer Kevin Crossley are being held April 17 at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

    • Family viewing is from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    • Public viewing is from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Officer Crossley's funeral will take place April 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help his family through this difficult time.