Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Sean McDonald was shot and killed while attempting to arrest two suspects for the robbery of a clothing store. At about 7:30 pm, Officer McDonald, who had been guarding a condemned building on the corner of Edward L. Grant Highway and Shakespeare Avenue in the High Bridge section of the Bronx, was alerted to suspicious activity in a nearby clothing shop. Walking into the store to investigate, he confronted two robbery suspects. After frisking one and attempting to frisk the other, both suspects attacked Officer McDonald. One of the suspects drew a firearm and fired at Officer McDonald, striking him at least five times in the neck, torso, and arm. Officer McDonald stumbled from the fusillade of bullets outside to the street and radioed for assistance before collapsing. He was rushed to Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center where he died a short time later. The suspects fled the scene but were in custody within 48 hours. Both suspects were convicted of second-degree murder and armed robbery and sentenced to 25 years to life. They were denied parole in 2018. One suspect was granted parole in August 2021. Police Officer Sean A. McDonald was a United States Army veteran and served with the New York City Police Department for 1 year and 8 months assigned to 44th Precinct.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-CCFB3042- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer McDonald gave the New York City Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the New York community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Sean A. McDonald served in the Army (1985â1989) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Sean A. McDonald is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sean A. McDonald's cause is highlighted.
How Sean A. McDonald Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 25 years to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sean A. McDonald is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sean A. McDonald was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
