The Liberty Bell Youth Organization named its new gym after slain police Sgt. Patrick McDonald. Photo by Stephen Schultz.

The Liberty Bell Youth Organization Friday celebrated the grand opening of its gym, but the Far Northeast athletic association was also marking another occasion.

Officially named the Sgt. Patrick McDonald Memorial Gym, the facility honors the slain police officer who was killed on the job three years ago Friday.

On Sept. 23, 2008, McDonald was shot several times by a suspect he’d pulled over. An officer at the time, McDonald was about to be promoted to sergeant, and was given the title posthumously.

Below, check out the slideshow with photos by Stephen Schultz of the gym’s grand opening.

Editor’s note: Sgt. Patrick McDonald has no relation to NEast Philly editor Shannon McDonald.