Hailing from a cop family, he joined the army during the second World War. During his deployment in Sicily he met his wife as she was a nurse working there. By the time they returned to the states she was already pregnant. They had 3 children, the youngest is also a cop - something he encouraged.
In recent years, his domestic life has taken a hit due to his work as he refuses to do desk work and take it easier in general, to the displeasure of his wife.
His son (Steven II, named after his grandfather) works as cop in NYC as well, both older daughters have left the city after they graduated from college (Fabia, name after her Gina's grandmother and Lia named after an aunt).