The suicide of a former police captain after police say he stabbed his wife has left the Middletown community shaken.

Friends say former New York State Police Capt. Tom Phelan had suffered a stroke that left him despondent.

"He went from basically being a speed reader to not being able to drive a car, so that can be very frustrating for somebody," says Nicole DiCostanzo, of Middletown.

Funeral services for Phelan are expected to be held later this week at St. Joseph's Church in Middletown.