Hero NYPD detective Steven McDonald dies

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Holding candles and reciting prayers along with members of the clergy in Malverne, hundreds of people gathered for a vigil to pray for Malvernite and NYPD Det. Steven McDonald at the Charles Reese Memorial Park in the village on Jan. 9. McDonald, who had a heart attack on Jan. 6, was listed in critical condition at North Shore University Hospital in Nassau County as of this morning

McDonald reportedly died Jan. 10 at 1:10 p.m. at North Shore while still on life support. He was 59 years old.

"It is with great sadness we announce the passing of NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, an inspiration to us all," the NYPD wrote in a statement after his death. 

McDonald was shot in Central Park 30 years ago, and left paralyzed from the neck down. He is the husband of Malverne Mayor Patricia Ann McDonald and the father of NYPD Sgt. Conor McDonald. He has been breathing with the help of a respirator since the shooting in 1986.

Malverne police reported that more than 400 people gathered on Jan. 9 to pray for his recovery. Village resident Lynne Macaluso said she didn't know McDonald personally, but wanted to attend the service because he is an inspiration to her. "I know him through town and through reading Christian books about forgiveness," she said. "He's just an inspiration."

Deputy Mayor Patricia Canzoneri Fitzpatrick said during the service, "I know Steven and Patti Ann and Conor would be overwhelmed by what is going on here tonight, and so I just want to say on behalf of them, thank you everybody. They feel your support and they do feel the prayer. Please continue to pray for them, and just keep them in your hearts as they go through this very difficult time."

The vigil was organized by local residents, who quickly mobilized two days after McDonald's heart attack to create the service together. The park's gazebo was decorated in blue lights to show support of McDonald's connection to the New York Police Department. The event coincidentally occurred on National Law Enforcement Day.

On Sunday, Jan. 8, Malverne residents, family and friends gathered for another prayer vigil for McDonald at Our Lady of Lourdes church. Nearly 100 people attended, including TeeTee Tilahun, an African-born woman who is McDonald’s goddaughter. Tilahun led the prayer service, expressing her love for McDonald and the need for prayer for him.

In a 2016 interview with the Herald, McDonald said he had what he described as a spiritual awakening after the shooting. He publicly forgave his assailant, Shavod Jones, who was 15 at the time. Jones was killed in a motorcycle accident three days after being released from prison in 1995, having served eight of a 10-year sentence. Since the shooting, McDonald has spoken to numerous organizations across the country and abroad about the power of God and forgiveness.

Hours after McDonald’s heart attack, media outlets nationwide reported the news, demonstrating how well known he had become. Concerns for his health were reflected in thousands of social media posts, including from the Twitter accounts of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the New York Rangers and New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill.

Tom Grech, an organizer of the prayer vigil in Reese Park, said, “The event is the culmination of the thoughts and prayers of thousands in the New York metro area who have watched this family thrive despite all the odds since that fateful day just over 30 years ago,” said Tom Grech, a Malverne resident.

Don Pupke, a former village trustee who organized the event with Grech, added, “When word spread that Steven had suffered this setback, there was an outpouring of love and respect for Steven from Malverne and from all over the world. We’re holding the candlelight prayer vigil tonight to ask for God’s help to allow for Steven’s full recovery, to show the community’s support for Steven, Patti, Conor and their family, and to say thank you to Steven for touching each of our lives in special ways. This vigil is a perfect expression of why Malverne is a special community.”

In July 2016, following the demonstrations in Dallas in which both civilians and police officers were killed, McDonald responded that the only thing that could be done to bridge the gap between the police and the public was prayer. “To those of us who are watching these events on TVs or computer screens or radios and listening, wondering what can we do — I would say prayer,” he said. “Prayer is something we do in our time. The answers come in God’s time.”

McDonald reported at the time that his health was declining, but he did not offer details.