A former Eastchester police officer who accidentally killed his friend with his service weapon is ready to start anew after serving seven years in prison.

On Nov. 3, 2009, Jimmy Pileggi’s life changed forever. He was showing off the laser sight on his Glock 9 mm to one of his closest friends Andre Everett when it discharged.

"It's burned into my retina, burned into my brain, burned into my heart," Pileggi told News 12.

After being tried twice – the first trial ending in a hung jury – he was eventually found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced in Jan. 2012 to 3-9 years in prison.

"Getting into that jail van that I've piloted. Now I'm in the back facing out, handcuffed, waist chained…the journey started right there and that's when it became real," said Pileggi.

He spent the next seven years of his life talking to inmates about being on the force, and earned his bachelor's degree while behind bars. He also received his confirmation in the Catholic church.

He credits his sister, Shelby, for helping him heal during his imprisonment. They graduated the police academy together, and she was constantly visiting him on the weekends.

Currently, Pileggi is selling cars with a new mission in life.

“If you can change one person's life a day, you did something good," he told News 12.