LI Game Farm Honors NYPD Hero Who Died Of 9/11-Related Cancer

MANORVILLE, NY — A late NYPD sergeant will be honored soon at one of the places he loved best on Long Island.

Sgt. Paul Ferrara and his family spent many happy days at the Long Island Game Farm, located on Chapman Boulevard in Manorville; they became lifetime members before he died of cancer related to exposure from 9/11, organizers of the event said.

A ceremony to dedicate Woodland Hall in his name will be held on Friday, May 5 at 1 p.m., with attendees including Long Island Game Farm president Melinda Novak, Kerrie Ferrara, Town of Brookhaven Supervisor Edward P. Romaine, Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski, and members of the NYPD.

The NYPD Honor Guard's ceremonial unit will also be in attendance.

"Having spent countless days at the farm with his wife, Kerrie, and his son, Paul Jr., Ferrara shared a love of wildlife. It is in his honor that Woodland Hall will be the site of the game farm's presentations and programming that connect people with animals and the environment," organizers said.

"We are so honored to have our newly renovated Woodland Hall dedicated in memory of NYPD Sergeant Paul Ferrara," Novak said. "Watching him and his family enjoy the park as they did for many years is why we do what we do. Woodland Hall, along with our newly formed Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, Inc., will help us further our mission and support our sanctuary for rescued animals, bringing more awareness to animals, nature, and conservation, both locally and internationally."

Ferrara died in August 2014 from cancer as a result from his time working at and around Ground Zero. He had joined the New York City Police Department in June 1992 in the 81st precinct. In 2016, he was promoted to sergeant in the 110th Precinct. Ferrara was also assigned to the NYPD's counterterrorism bureau.

Manorville residents, the Ferraras had spent many days at the game farm, finding a place to enjoy animals and nature in a "safe and welcoming space, which was particularly special for Ferrara’s autistic son," organizers said. "They especially loved the bison."

The Long Island Game Farm looks forward to hosting the public at Woodland Hall when it reopens this summer, they said.

Long Island Game Farm is currently open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beginning in May, hours will be Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about the game farm and upcoming programming, click here.