LOCKPORT, N.Y. — The Lockport community came together Wednesday night to remember Troy Hodge in a vigil.
“We definitely want Troy to not be forgotten," said Lashonda McKenzie, Troy’s cousin.
She added, "He was always just someone that when you saw him, he was smiling, and he made you smile.”
The 39-year-old died following an encounter with police last year on Park Avenue.
Desiree Crenshaw, Troy’s stepdaughter, told reporters, “It’s been exactly one year since he died right in this driveway, since he was murdered in this driveway.”
2 on Your Side previously reported Troy's mother said she called Lockport Police because her son was saying someone was going to hurt her. When they arrived, it turned into an altercation when, according to police and the police attorney, Troy got out of control.
Troy's mother, Fatima Hodge, was an eyewitness.
"He tried to get up, and they body-slammed him down again," Fatima Hodge said in an interview with 2 on Your Side last year. "His face in the pavement, telling him, 'Put your hands in the back.' He can't put his hands because he's got the phone and his keys to the truck, and he's still trying to get up."
At the vigil on Wednesday, McKenzie said, “If someone is having a mental health issue, I don’t really understand how it ends up like that.”
Lockport Mayor Michelle Roman was among the crowd at the vigil to remember Troy.
“It’s just symbolism of the fact that we are a community, and we will get through this together as a community," Roman said.
Roman told 2 On Your Side she can't comment on the case due to the investigation by the New York State Attorney General's Office, but she did say the city is making progress.
“We’ve updated the cameras, body camera systems and the policies. We have reviewed all of the use of force policies. We’re the first to pilot a program with tablets in the patrol cars where they can call mental health professionals right during a call," Roman explained.
Family members said the vigil was planned long before recent instances of police brutality gained nationwide attention.
“When they saw George Floyd, I know they all thought of Tina, and they all thought of Troy, because I know I did," McKenzie said.
Crenshaw added, “We’re standing here today to make sure that some type of change happens because if it doesn’t happen, we’re gonna keep doing this.”
2 On Your Side attempted to get a response from the City of Lockport Police Department but we have not yet heard back. We also reached out to the New York State Attorney General's office, and a spokesperson told us the investigation is still ongoing.