Today I will be leaving the assignment desk for a meeting with representatives of WSYR-TV Newschannel 9, YNN, and WKTV Channel 2 in Utica. The last time we got together, it was a few weeks ago for a festive evening as we gathered for the Syracuse Press Club awards dinner.

Today, it will be serious business. The stations, who all compete with each other for viewers, will be working together to bring you coverage of the funeral of Oneida County Sheriff's Deputy Kurt Wyman.

We are meeting in Utica to work out the details of setting up a "pool" for Monday's memorial service. That means each station will contribute video production equipment and people to provide a multi-camera feed of the services at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

It's not the first time we've worked together like this. Unfortunately, we've all had a lot of experience -- too much experience -- in my opinion, at doing these kinds of broadcasts.

When we first discussed the pool in a conference call yesterday, it struck me just how many of these things we've been through. Ron Lombard, who runs the YNN  operation, and I both began our careers as reporters in Syracuse back in the early 80's. We can trace our experience to the deaths of Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy David Clark, and Syracuse Police Officer Wallie Howard -- our first local pool.

Roger Mirabito, who's acting News Director at Channel 9, worked with me at TV 5 back in the early 90's. We've worked in the past as co-workers and competitors on the funerals of Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputy Glenn Searles, and firefighters Jim McGroarty,  John Ginocchetti and Timothy Lynch.

Even YNN assignment editor Jacquie Gilliland, who is a relative "kid" compared to us "old guys" has been through through these events dating back to the death of state trooper Craig Todeschini.

Steve McMurray, the news director at WKTV, who is spearheading the pool, has become a veteran of these events in the last five years. His station, in the much smaller Utica market, has had the kind of experience you would expect in a much bigger city.  He's coordinated coverage of the shooting deaths of New Hartford Police Officer Joe Corr, Utica Police Officer Thomas Lindsey, and now deputy Kurt Wyman.

So as we enter discussions with the Oneida County Sheriff's department about things like camera placement, where cables should run, details of the service, etc., you can be sure there is an experienced production team working to bring you a dignified, respectful service to honor the life of Deputy  Kurt Wyman.

As a person who works daily with cops and firefighters, and as a father whose son is seeking a career in law enforcement, I hope I never have to talk to Roger, Ron, Jacquie or Steve about another one of these events.

Rest in Peace Deputy Wyman. We will do our best to honor your short, heroic life.