SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Following the decision by a third-party arbitrator to allow Ted Ackerman to get his job back as a Syracuse firefighter, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh offers his feelings.

Ackerman was fired for accusations of tampering with evidence involved in a deadly crash on the city's Northside, which killed 18-year-old Seth Collier.

A former investigator for the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, Peter Rauch, was behind the wheel -- and was convicted of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.

Ackerman never faced formal criminal charges, but the arbitrator found that he violated the department's code of conduct. Still that arbitrator said the punishment did not call for termination.

Walsh acknowledged that many people did not want to see Ackerman get his job back.

"This is the law, a decision was made and we have to abide by that decision. That being said, again, our focus is going to continue to be on the Collier family and their loss,” Walsh said.

Mayor Walsh says Ackerman's duties in the department will be up to Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds and other fire officials.

Friends close to the Collier family are among the many who are frustrated with how the decision played out.

Emotions are still running high for loved ones of Seth Collier; they believe Ackerman was not held responsible for his actions.

"He did not do the right thing on March 21, he did not call 911, he did not seek help for Seth. He just allowed him to die for just some random person to find him. He didn't care, what makes you think he's going to care when he receives his first 911 call,” said Beth Snow, a family friend.

Loved ones say they plan to push back against the decision. Meanwhile, Ackerman has been served notice that further misconduct will lead to his dismissal.