LOCKPORT, N.Y. -- Jared Forsyth, a Western New York native, died Monday in a police training accident in Florida.

Family and co-workers of Forsyth said he always wanted to be a police officer.

"Always. His mother wanted him to be a doctor but he said no. He was going to be a policeman," said his aunts, Mary Forsyth and Ellen Watkins.

Three years ago, that dream became reality when he joined the Ocala, Florida Police Department. 

"He loved it. He loved his job. He was going to see about getting into the K-9 group," said Mary Forsyth and Ellen Watkins.

That dream was cut short Monday afternoon. According to the Ocala Police Department, Forsyth died at a nearby hospital after he was shot at a firing range during a shooting exercise. He was 33.

"I'm just numb and stunned. A terrible, terrible day," said Watkins.

Before he moved to Florida, Forsyth lived in Lockport and worked at the Orleans County Jail in Albion for three years.

"Shocked. I understand things like this do happen, but to happen to one of your own is upsetting. He did put in a lot of hours here. He was diligent in his work and he was very professional. He definitely had his heart in law enforcement," said Orleans County Jail Superintendent Scott Wilson.

Flags are now flying at half staff at the Orleans County Jail. Wilson says the union is working to put together a donation for Forsyth's family and will have a presence at the funeral services locally.

Forsyth's family also has their flags at half staff.  They said the outpouring of community support through both social media and phone calls has been overwhelming.

"It reinforces what we already knew about him that he was just one of the nicest kids, friendly and outgoing and fun to be around," said Watkins.

"The Lockport police they notified my sister and they stayed here until most of us got here and came back today," said Mary Forsyth. "They've been very very supportive. And they said they'd escort us when they brought Jared back from the airport to the funeral home when he gets back."

Family members tells us the police department in Florida will be flying Jared's mother down for a service. They'll then bring Jared's body back home for a funeral and burial. 

Police in Ocala aren't releasing details about the other officer involved in the incident.