Steven D. McDonald

Steven D. McDonald was a United States Navy veteran and a devout Roman Catholic. He had been a New York City police officer for two years when, on the afternoon of 12 July 1986, he approached three teenagers in Central Park who were suspected of stealing bicycles. A 15-year-old among them drew a .22-caliber handgun and shot him in the neck, the hand and the face. The wounds left him paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair and dependent on a breathing machine for the rest of his life. His wife, Patti Ann, was pregnant with their only child at the time.

Against his doctors' expectations, he remained an active member of the department for more than 30 years. He was promoted to detective on 20 December 1995 and to detective first grade on 23 December 2003. He forgave the teenager who shot him early and publicly, and he kept in touch with him; the young man served nine years in prison and was killed in a motorcycle accident a few days after his release in 1995. Detective McDonald spent the rest of his life carrying a message of peace and forgiveness around the world, including to Ireland, the Middle East and Bosnia, as a goodwill ambassador for the NYPD. He taught that forgiveness was a lasting attitude rather than an occasional act. His life was the subject of a documentary and an autobiography, as well as many awards and honors.

He was still an active member of the department when he died of complications from his injuries on 10 January 2017. His wife later became Mayor of Malverne, Long Island, and their son, Conor, joined the NYPD and rose to the rank of lieutenant.

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.