Dozens gathered at the NYPD 70th Precinct Tuesday afternoon to remember fallen Detective Dillon Stewart on the 18th anniversary of his death.
Stewart was killed in the line of duty in 2005, after he was shot while attempting to pull over someone driving a stolen vehicle.
Stewart left behind his beloved wife, Leslyn, and two young daughters. Eighteen years later, the tradition of organizing a blood drive around the anniversary of his death continues to be the way the NYPD and Stewart family honor the late detective’s legacy.
“I know that the night my dad was killed, he needed lots of blood. It means so much to see people continue to give in his honor”, said Samantha Stewart, Detective Dillon Stewart’s youngest daughter.
Stewart’s eldest daughter, Alexis Stewart, has since followed in her father’s footsteps, now serving as a civilian working with the NYPD in Lower Manhattan.
“I know I always have him close to my heart,” she said as she touched a locket with her father’s picture on her neck on one side, and shield number on the other.
The Stewart family says they hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.