Hero NYPD Detective Steven McDonald Dies

Hero NYPD Detective Steven McDonald died Tuesday.

American Hero, Detective Steven McDonald Dies

New York City –  NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who was paralyzed in 1986 after he was shot, has died. He was 59-years-old.

Det. Steven McDonald died shortly after 1 PM Tuesday after being on life support since Friday, when he suffered a massive heart attack at his home.

NYPD Det. 1st Grade Steven McDonald was shot on July 12, 1986, by teenager Shavod Jones, who had stolen a bicycle. The incident occurred in Central Park and left Det. McDonald paralyzed from the neck down. His wife was three months pregnant when he was shot. When he was first injured, it was uncertain if he would survive even days, much less years. But not only did Det. McDonald survive, he remained on active duty with the NYPD, with the help of a respirator to breathe and use of a wheelchair. He was an inspiration to many, and often traveled from precinct to precinct to talk to rookie Police Officers.  He was also a man of faith who attended Mass frequently and his wife’s cousin is an Irish priest.

The suspect, Shavod Jones, who shot Det. Steven McDonald, died three days after being released from prison when he was struck by a car.  He died just a short distance from the location in Central Park where NYPD Det. McDonald was shot.  Det. McDonald made a public statement after the incident that he forgave Jones for what happened.

In a statement, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said “His words encouraged all of us to continue to bring police and communities closer together.”   NYPD Det. McDonald and his wife had one child, a son named Conor, born in 1987. Det. McDonald watched proudly as his son joined the NYPD in July, 2010,  was promoted later to Detective, and then in 2016 to Sergeant.  Mayor de Blasio said “We are blessed that NYPD Detective Sergeant Conor McDonald continues in his father’s footsteps and will ensure his legacy lives on in the greatest police department in the world.”

NYPD Det. 1st Class Steven McDonald’s funeral will be held on Friday, January 13, 2017 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral with Timothy Cardinal Dolan in charge.  A wake will be held next to the church, at the Rockville Centre Community Center.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Detective Steven Mcdonald’s, both blood and blue. Godspeed, sir, we will take it from here.  Thank you for your service.

Feel free to leave your well-wishes on our Facebook page or in the comments below.