West Babylon street renamed for fallen NYPD officer Peter Figoski

Nineteen months after NYPD Officer Peter Figoski was fatally shot in the line of duty, the West Babylon street where he lived and raised a family was renamed Saturday in his honor.

Figoski was "an outstanding police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice," said NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly, recalling the 22-year veteran who'd made hundreds of arrests in East New York's 75th Precinct, one of the city's busiest.

More than a hundred fellow officers, elected officials, family members and neighbors turned out for the ceremony held on what used to be called Midwood Road.

Although Figoski was posthumously promoted to detective, his daughters Christine, Caitlyn, Caroline and Corinne had asked that the street sign state his rank as officer -- the job he'd done for most of their lives.

A West Babylon bridge on state Route 109 was renamed in memory of the fallen officer last month.

On Dec. 12, 2011, Figoski was one of the first officers to respond to a 2 a.m. call in East New York, where a five-man robbery crew had targeted a small-time drug dealer living in a basement apartment.

One of the fleeing robbers, Lamont Pride, 28, shot Figoski outside the apartment. Pride was convicted of murder and burglary and sentenced to 45 years to life; most of the other defendants received sentences of up to 25 years to life.

Saturday's ceremony dedicating Officer Peter Figoski Way, held on what would have been his 49th birthday, was a few blocks from Anthony Sanchez Pool, named for another slain NYPD officer from Babylon.

"A lot of police officers live in this town," said NYPD Deputy Chief Jeffrey Maddrey, Figoski's former commanding officer.

Robert Figoski, a retired NYPD officer who lives in North Babylon, said his brother loved "everything" about his job.

It was an honor to see the street renamed, he said, adding, "It'll be nice to see his name every day."