A Greenlawn woman is taking up a new challenge in the wake of her husband’s death – running the New York City Marathon.

It has been nearly three years since NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo was slain on the job in the Bronx. His widow, Lisa Tuozzolo, says her love for him continues. “No matter how much I smile, no matter how much I laugh. No matter how much I go out and make sure my boys are going out and having fun, it doesn't mean that I’m grieving any less or loving him any less. He's on my mind every single day,” she says.

Tuozzolo also says she’s ensuring that her two sons will grow up with strength and determination after losing their father.

“They need to learn, as they grow up, that you persevere and you fight through whatever it is that you have to fight through, to show that you are strong and that you are capable of facing any challenge and getting through it,” she says.

Tuozzolo’s own strength is being tested as she prepares to run the New York City Marathon in her husband’s honor. "Paul would not expect in a million years that I would run the marathon and he'd probably ask me if I'm out of my mind. Sometimes I think I am,” she says.

She is running for Team Silver Shield Foundation, a nonprofit organization that offers educational support to children and spouses of fallen first responders. She says her personal theme for the race is, “never alone, never forgotten.”

She says she knows her husband will be proudly watching over as she runs on Sunday, Nov. 3 - one day before the three-year mark of his death.

"He would be proud because I’m a fighter and I don't give up. I fight to the end the same way he did. I know the entire race is going to be really emotional and I know there are going to be lots of tears shed and they'll all be for Paul,” says Tuozzolo.

Tuozzolo has raised more than $4,000 for the Silver Shield Foundation.