By allowing his organs to be donated after his death, Jersey City Police Officer Marc Anthony DiNardo gave a Vietnam Veteran a second chance at life.
Officer DiNardo died from wounds suffered in a shootout in 2009. But his family say his legacy lives on and hopes his organ donation will urge other to do the same.
Exactly five years ago, DiNardo lost his life in the line of duty, but the 37-year old husband and father's commitment to saving other lives never ended.
"He's a hero in life and in death," said the officer's widow, Mary DiNardo.
As an organ donor, officer DiNardo's heart went to another hero, Captain Don Zolkiwsky, a Purple Heart recipient and veteran of the Vietnam War.
"It's bittersweet. Sweet in that, yes it happened, bitter in that someone had to die for me to live," said Capt. Zolkiwsky.
Last year, Captain Zolkiwsky met the family of the man who saved his life. "You really feel like he's inside you, the spirit, what Mary has told me about him," he said.
"That was the heart that fell in love with me," said Mary. "Here we are 5 years later and Don's doing extremely well with my husband's heart in his chest, makes me feel good, makes me feel at peace."
Officer DiNardo saved not one life that day, but three..each of his kidneys going to another stranger in need.
We know that one organ donor can save up to 8 lives, but it's a decision you have to make in advance and discuss with your family.
In honor of her late husband, Mary DiNardo is raising awareness about organ donation, through the New Jersey Organ Network.
"We need more people to express their wishes to be organ donors so we can reduce the number of deaths daily on the waiting list," said Joseph Roth, CEO of the New Jersey Sharing Network.
Tuesday not only marks five years since officer DiNardo's death, but: "Today's my daddy's birthday," said one of his daughters, 6-year old Ella. ('Do you miss him?') "Yes, we really do," said his other daughter, 9-year old Gwendolyn.
But his memory is not forgotten.
"Me and him got ice cream and I remember a picture, I had vanilla ice cream all down my face," said Gwendolyn.
"I remember whenever he came home from work I ran to him and he picked me up," said Ella.
Their father's legacy lives on through those who continue to live, because of him.