Roll of Honor

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Detective

Steven D. McDonald

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch January 10, 2017

Age 59

Tour of Duty 32 yrs

The Vigil Panel 166 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 1,236

Incident

Detective Steven McDonald died as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained more than 31 years earlier on July 12th, 1986.

Detective McDonald was on foot patrol in Central Park, in the area of East Drive near Fifth Avenue and 107th Street, when he encountered a group of teenagers he believed was preparing to commit a robbery. He and his partner split up and started to follow the teens. Detective McDonald stopped them near the boathouse on Harlem Meer. As he questioned the teens one of them drew a concealed .22 caliber revolver and fired, striking Detective McDonald in the head and neck.

Detective McDonald was transported to a local hospital where it was determined that his wounds had caused paralysis. After a lengthy rehabilitation, Detective McDonald was able to return home. He was confined to a wheelchair and needed the assistance of a machine to breathe.

The subject who shot him was paroled on September 6th, 1995. Three days later he was killed in a motorcycle accident.

On January 10th, 2017, Detective McDonald died as a direct result of complications from the gunshot wounds.

Detective McDonald is survived by his wife and son, who followed in his father's footsteps, joining the New York City Police Department, earning his detective shield, and eventually earning a promotion to sergeant.

Survivors

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-9E89BD64
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: August 2, 2026
Last updated: August 2, 2026

Honored here by 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.
Detective McDonald gave the New York City Police Department 32 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 10, 2017

Tour of Duty 32 yrs

Age 59

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber

Military Service

Steven D. McDonald served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Detective Steven D. McDonald is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious