Former New York Gov. George Pataki delivered a eulogy Tuesday in Newburgh for the former head of his security detail.

Inspector Gary Berwick apparently hanged himself last week at his New Windsor home. The death came after state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo began investigating Berwick's former state police colleagues over the "Troopergate" scandal.

The troopers allegedly misused taxpayer money to investigate lawmakers and keep tabs on state Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno for then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Berwick was reportedly going to be questioned about what he knew.

Hundreds of mourners and dozens of troopers packed St. Francis of Assisi Church as the sound of bagpipes filled the air. Pataki ? who told troopers attending the funeral that he's proud of them ? and others remembered the 48-year-old husband and father of three as an honorable man.

"Gary was a longtime friend - 25 years, 26 years," said Scott Patterson. "I came on to New York State Police with him ? no finer individual. He's gonna be sadly missed. We love him."