His wife survived and I'm not naming her here.
THOMAS PHELAN III
April 30, 1959 - December 18, 2011
Middletown, NY
[Excerpts] Thomas Phelan III of Middletown, NY died unexpectedly Sunday, December 18, 2011 at home.... He is survived by his wife... his son... his daughter... his mother... one brother... and his wife... and one siste... Visitation hours will be 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, at Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home, 130 Highland Ave., Middletown, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 22, at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, 149 Cottage St. Burial will follow in the family plot in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Middletown. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to NYS Trooper Foundation in Latham NY. Arrangements under the direction of the Applebee-McPhillips Funeral Home. [Full article here.]
DETAILS EMERGE ON MURDER-SUICIDE IN CROSS RIVER
12/19/11
[Excerpts] 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... [Full article here]
POLICE: RETIRED STATE TROOPER STABS WIFE, KILLS HIMSELF
Hudson Valley
By: Elaina Athans
Updated 12/19/2011 06:18 PM
[Excerpts] ...Unsettling news along Starhaven Avenue in Middletown. Police say retired New York State Police Captain Tom Phelan stabbed his wife and then killed himself... Saturday night, police swarmed the former cop's home after fielding a domestic dispute call. Inside officers found the woman stabbed in the neck and discovered Phelan committed suicide. State Police say Phelan was with the force for 21 years and retired as a captain with Troop K. Neighbors describe Phelan as a reserved man, who was sick for some time and often seen in a wheelchair. One neighbor adding he was worried about the wife's wellbeing. "I was afraid because he had guns and rifles and all kinds of things"... Police are not saying how many times the woman was stabbed... An autopsy is being done on Phelan's body and the findings are expected in the next couple days. Police says the investigation is ongoing. The wife, meanwhile, has been treated and released from the hospital to the relief of residents. "(She is) very pleasant, very gracious woman. Lovely mom"... [Full article here]
RETIRED STATE TROOPER SLASHES WIFE, KILLS SELF IN MIDDLETOWN
Times Herald-Record
By Nathan Brown
12/20/11
[Excerpts] A retired state police captain slashed his wife in the throat, then killed himself Saturday night. Thomas Phelan's wife, [E.], and 19-year-old daughter were visiting him at 26 Starhaven Ave. Saturday evening, where he had lived alone since he and [E.] separated... As they finished the visit and [E.] left the residence, Thomas slashed her throat with a serrated kitchen knife. [E.] fled to a neighbor's residence, where her daughter already was, the source said, and Thomas returned to the residence. Middletown city police responded, set up a perimeter around the house due to uncertainty about possible weapons inside, and tried to contact Thomas. Receiving no response, the Orange County Sheriff's Department's Special Operations Group entered the house and found Thomas dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound... Phelan, 52, was a state trooper from 1982 to 2009. His last posting was at Troop K, which is based in Poughkeepsie.... [Full article here]
MAN WHO STABBED HIS WIFE BEFORE KILLING HIMSELF REMEMBERED AS CONSUMMATE STATE TROOPER
Mid-Hudson News
DECEMBER 20, 2011
[Excerpts] ...Phalen was a 27-year veteran of the force. He worked for a while with Saugerties Police Chief Louis Barbaria when he was in chrge of the Kingston Barracks. “Tom was always the consummate State Police employee and very dedicated to his job,” Barbaria said. “He was promoted as captain and sent to K troop where he worked. He was very professional.” Phalen retired from the State Police at the rank of captain in August 2009. [Full article here]
Shame on Alaina Athens and Nathan Brown, the authors of these articles. In their rush to judge they have presented biased articles that are full of partial truths and outright lies. Capt. Phelan was a dedicated police officer and a wonderful husband and father who always gave 100%. Life is complicated and there is more to this story than has been presented here. People in the press; please stop smearing the reputations of the dead. This man could have used a little compassion while he was alive, could you please spare him some now that he is gone. Thomas Phelan was my brother and I love and miss him very much.
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