Retired Suffolk Police Commissioner Richard Dormer has died.

Dormer's son tells Newsday he died Sunday at his home in Northport, after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 79 years old.

Dormer was police commissioner from 2004 until he retired in 2011.

He oversaw the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, and strengthened anti-gang policing. His tenure also saw a decrease in crime.

Dormer leaves behind his wife Barbara, two daughters, two sons, and eight grandchildren.