The incident happened just before 4:30 a.m. at 227th Street and 108th Avenue in Queens Village.
The victim, identified as 50-year old Jeffrey Ragland, was shot and killed in a dispute with his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend, both of whom are active correction officers.
The former officer was shot once in the chest, allegedly by the new boyfriend after lying in wait for them.
Police say he parked his silver SUV behind the ex-girlfriend's car on 108th Avenue, waiting for her to come out of her new boyfriend's house to go to work.
As she exited and approached her car, authorities say he confronted her and the two started arguing.
Police say the new boyfriend then drove up, saw the ex-boyfriend hitting her, and got out of his car to intervene.
According to authorities, the new boyfriend pushed down the ex-boyfriend, who reached for a gun. The new boyfriend then pulled his and fired.
The retired officer was pronounced dead on arrival at Long Island Jewish hospital.
Sources say police are questioning the male and female officers, who are in custody at the scene.
It has not been determined if charges will be filed.
Authorities shut down the intersection, and there was a large police presence on the street.
Officers were going house to house, knocking on doors to see if anyone saw or heard anything. They were also using flashlights to search between cars.
