Hero NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, 59, dies

Officer was the personification of forgiveness and spirituality

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NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, a Malverne resident who became known nationwide for his messages of forgiveness and peace after being shot in Central Park in 1986, has died, the New York City Police Department reported Jan. 10.

McDonald’s death came four days after he suffered a heart attack at his home and was taken to North Shore University Hospital where he had been in critical but stable condition, authorities reported.

McDonald, 59, who became a quadriplegic because of the shooting, is the husband of Malverne Mayor Patricia Ann McDonald and the father of NYPD Sgt. Conor McDonald. He had been breathing with the help of a respirator since the shooting 30 years ago.

“Detective McDonald is the very example of the pride and dedication that he has shown throughout his NYPD career,” a statement from the New York Police Department read. “He inspired us all and his memory will live on. Please have Detective McDonald and his family in your thoughts.”

In a 2016 interview with the Herald, McDonald had what he described as a spiritual awakening after being shot three times by his assailant, Shavod Jones, who was 15 at the time. McDonald publicly forgave Jones several months after the shooting, although the two never met. Jones was killed in a motorcycle accident three days after being released from prison in 1995, having served nine of a 10-year sentence.

Since the shooting, McDonald has spoken to numerous organizations across the country and abroad, spreading his message about the power of God, faith, forgiveness, and peace. “Having experienced the life changing event that he did — and speaking of forgiveness so many times all over the world — where do you find the strength to forgive but by turning to God,” said Rev. Douglas Arcoleo of the Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport. McDonald had been a frequent parishioner there, Arcoleo said, because the church has a perpetual adoration chapel that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

McDonald, who joined the New York Police Department on July 16, 1984, is a third generation New York City police officer. His father and his grandfather, who was shot in the line of duty, were New York City policemen, and his son, Conor, who was recently promoted to sergeant, joined the force in 2010 and currently serves in Manhattan’s Chelsea precinct. In total, 12 members of McDonald’s family were members of the force.

A former U.S. Navy hospital corpsman, McDonald married his wife Patricia Ann McDonald less than a year before he was shot in Central Park — four days shy of his second anniversary with the police department. Patricia Ann had been pregnant with their son, Conor at the time.

“No one could have predicted that Steven would touch so many people, in New York and around the world,” said New York Police Commissioner James O’Neill. “Like so many cops, Steven joined the NYPD to make a difference in people’s lives. And he accomplished that every day. He is a model for each of us as we go about our daily lives. He will be greatly missed, and will always remain a part of our family.”

A wake for Steven McDonald will be held at the St. Agnes Parish Center, 29 Quealy Place in Rockville Centre, on Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 11-12 from 2-4 p.m. and again from 7-9 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 13.