Two Elmsford men were charged with attempted murder Tuesday after police say they shot a retired Greenburgh police officer during an attempted burglary on Monday.

Officials say former officer Peter Schmidt, a 20-year veteran of the force, was keeping an eye on his neighbors' home on Payne Avenue when there was an apparent burglary. Police say Schmidt, 55, confronted Taqiy Walton, 34, and Adam Larregue, 20. One of the men allegedly shot Schmidt twice - once in the arm and once in the torso.

Schmidt's son, an off-duty officer, ran to the scene and observed the suspects fleeing in a blue BMW. He then wrote down the suspects' license plate. A short time later, Yonkers police nabbed the suspects on the Bronx River Parkway.

Investigators recovered a loaded 9mm handgun along a grassy area on the southbound side of the Sprain Brook Parkway near Tuckahoe Road.

Schmidt was taken to the Westchester County Medical Center, but has since been released and is home resting.

Neighbors say they aren't surprised Schmidt tried to help. "If he had to do something ... to put his life on the line, to do the right thing...he would do it," says Otto Armstrong.

Both suspects are being held without bail and have prior arrests. They are due back in Greenburgh Town Court next week.