The former police captain who allegedly stabbed his wife before killing himself in Middletown over the weekend had suffered a stroke and was plagued by emotional and medical problems, a family friend tells News 12.

Police say former New York State Police Capt. Tom Phelan took his own life after stabbing his estranged wife in the neck. His wife, Elizabeth Phelan, was treated at the hospital for a superficial cut on her neck and released. Many in the neighborhood say they are glad she is alright.

Tom Phelan and his wife were going through a separation that had been described by some as amicable.

State police say Tom Phelan became a trooper in 1982 and began his career at Troop F. He worked his way up the ranks to captain and moved to Troop K in 2004. He retired five years later.

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