NYPD Det. Steven McDonald of Malverne became a quadriplegic in 1986 after being shot by Shavod Jones, then 15 years old, while on patrol in Central Park. McDonald, who required a wheelchair and a respirator for breathing until his death, said he forgave Jones and preached the power of forgiveness.
McDonald suffered a heart attack on Friday, Jan. 6, 2017. More than 600 officers and supporters attended a vigil in his honor in Malverne, where his wife, Patricia Ann McDonald, serves as mayor. He died on Jan. 11, 2017.
See photos of McDonald through the years.
Paralyzed police officer Steven McDonald with his wife Patti Ann in his hospital room on Sept. 24, 1986.
NYPD police officer Steven McDonald is being moved from Metropolitan Hospital to Bellvue Hospital as the doctors and nurses along with officers help on July 12, 1986. ((Credit: Newsday/Linda Baron)
From left, Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York, greets Steven McDonald, of Malverne, and his father David McDonald, of Jupiter, Fl, during the New York City St. Patricks Day Parade on March 17, 2012 ((Credit: Chris Ware)
Steven McDonald, a former member of the NYPD who was paralyzed during a shooting, marches in the annual New York City St. Patricks Day Parade on March 17, 2014. (Credit: Charles Eckert)
Steven McDonald with his wife Patti Ann and 2-year-old son Conor in their Malverne home on June 1, 1989. (Credit: Newsday/J. Michael Dombroski)
Steven McDonald with his wife Patti Ann and two-year-old son Conor in their Malverne home on Sept. 24, 1966. (Credit: Newsday/J. Michael Dombroski)
Prior to the Rangers game on Dec. 22, 1987, Steven McDonald drops the puck with his wife by his side and Flyers Nick Fotiu. (Credit: Newsday/Paul Bereswill)
Conor McDonald kisses his father, NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, during the New York City Police Department promotions ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. Conor McDonald was promoted to detective. (Credit: Bryan R. Smith)
Conor McDonald, right, with his father, Det. Steven McDonald, as 1,147 new police officers graduate at the 2010 graduation ceremony in Madison Square Garden. McDonald was shot in 1986, leaving him a quadriplegic. (Credit: New York Daily News)
Conor McDonald with his father Steven McDonald on June 29, 2010. (Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, who was left paralyzed after a 1986 shooting, shows support for officers charged in ticket-fixing case at the Bronx Hall of Justice court house on Oct. 28, 2011. (Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, shot and paralyzed in 1986, shows support for police charged in ticket-fixing case at the Bronx Hall of Justice court house on Oct. 28, 2011. (Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, paralyzed after a 1986 shooting, shows support for police charged in ticket-fixing case at the Bronx Hall of Justice court house on Oct. 28, 2011. (Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy)
Patti McDonald, of Malverne, who at the time was running for office, with her husband, Steven, in their home in Malverne on Feb. 15, 2007. (Credit: George Tsourovakas/GEORGE TSOUROVAKAS)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald with his family at the St. Patrick's Day Parade on March 17, 1992. McDonald's son, Conor, foreground, wears a police hat. (Credit: Donna Dietrich)
Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi holds the mic as NYPD Det. Steven McDonald speaks after receiving the first Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. "Trailblazer" Award at the 15th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The event was held at the Carltun, Eisenhower Park, East Meadow on July 25, 2005. (Credit: Newsday Staff/Karen Wiles Stabile)
Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray speaks with Steven McDonald before a news conference at the Malverne LIRR station. Murray, who is running for district attorney, was endorsed Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, by McDonald's wife, Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald. (Credit: Chuck Fadely)
Hempstead Town Supervisor and District Attorney candidate Kate Murray, left, is endorsed Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2015, by Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald, center, and her husband, Steven McDonald, right, a NYPD detective wounded in the line of duty in 1986. They announced the endorsement at the Malverne LIRR station. (Credit: Chuck Fadely)
Det. Steven McDonald listens as Msgr. Thomas J. Hartman gives a blessing during the 15th anniversary celebration of the Americans with Disabilities Act hosted in East Meadow on July 25, 2005. McDonald received the first Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. "Trailblazer" Award. (Credit: Newsday Staff/Karen Wiles Stabile)
Sharing a light moment after Patti McDonald was given flowers are Don Dreyer, director, Office of the Physically Challenged; Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, and NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, her husband. The detective received the first Dr. Henry Viscardi, Jr. "Trailblazer" Award at the The Americans with Disabilities Act 15th anniversary celebration in East Meadow on Monday, July 25, 2005. (Credit: Newsday Staff/Karen Wiles Stabile)
Steven McDonald, paralyzed from the neck down after being shot in the line of duty, leaves Queens Criminal Court where three police officers face charges in the death of Sean Bell. (Credit: Photo by Dave Sanders/Photo by Dave Sanders)
Patti McDonald and her husband, Steven, outside the Malverne Fire Department on March 20, 2007. (Credit: Freelance/Photo by Pablo Corradi)
Patti McDonald and her husband, Steven McDonald, outside the Malverne Fire Department building on March 20, 2007. (Credit: Freelance/Pablo Corradi)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald poses with NYPD members after completing the Way of the Cross procession over Brooklyn Bridge on March 25, 2016. The procession includes excerpts from Gospel passages, choral music and selected readings to contemplate the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Credit: John Roca)
From left, Timothy Cardinal Dolan Archbishop of New York, greets Patti and Steven McDonald, of Malverne, and Steven's father, David McDonald, of Jupiter, Fla., during the New York City St. Patrick's Day parade on March 17, 2012. (Credit: Chris Ware)
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, Chief of Department O'Neill, NYPD Det. Steven McDonald with his wife Patti Ann and son Conor, also an NYPD detective, with former Mayor David Dinkins after the New York City Police Department promotions ceremony at 1 Police Plaza, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016. (Credit: Bryan R. Smith)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help students Antoinette Lamar and Valerie Rodriguez show TV weatherman Mr. G and NYPD Det. Steven McDonald the poster they created to spread the message of peace and reconciliation. (Credit: East End Film & Digital Corp/East End Film & Digital Corp)
Steven McDonald, the NYPD police officer who was shot and paralyzed in 1986, attends the funeral for Suffolk Police Officer Glen Ciano on Feb. 26, 2009, in Blue Point. (Credit: Newsday/Newsday Photo/ Karen Wiles Stabile)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald takes in the practice of the New York Rangers on Tuesday, April 14, 2015, before their first game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, April 16, 2015. (Credit: Errol Anderson)
Retired NYPD detective Steven McDonald, shot while on duty, speaks to the convention escorted by his wife, Patti, and son, Conor at the Republican National Convention Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 at Madison Square Garden. (Credit: staff/Jiro Ose)
Cardinal Edward Egan greets police officer Steven McDonald, 48, of Malverne, who was shot and paralyzed in the line of duty, during the annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan on Thursday, March 17, 2005. (Credit: Freelance-SAVE/Jason DeCrow)
NYPD detective Steven McDonald, who was shot and paralyzed in 1986, shows support for police officers charged in a ticket-fixing case at the Bronx Hall of Justice Court House on Oct. 28, 2011. (Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy)
Patti McDonald, of Malverne, who was running for office at the time, stands for a portrait with her husband, Steven, in their home in Malverne on Feb. 15, 2007. (Credit: George Tsourovakas/GEORGE TSOUROVAKAS)
NYPD officer Steven McDonald leaves the wake of FDNY Lieutenant Curtis Meyran after paying his respects on Friday, Jan. 28, 2005 at Krauss Funeral Home in Franklin Square. (Credit: freelance/Howard Schnapp)
NYPD Det. Steven McDonald speaks before the St. Joseph's Hospital 5K run, in honor of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy at Bethpage State Park on Sept. 18, 2010. (Credit: Kevin P Coughlin )
Steven D. McDonald , left, speaks with Father Kevin Devine, right, after a Rosary prayer/mass held at American Legion Post #44 in Malverne on Dec. 11, 2003. (Credit: Freelancer/Richard Slattery)
Mats Zuccarello, of the New York Rangers, accepts the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award before a game against the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on Thursday, Apr. 7, 2016. (Credit: Jim McIsaac)
Daniel Murphy, center, and his younger son, John Murphy, left, spends time with NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, the honorary chairmain of the St Joseph's Hospital 5K run, in honor of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy at Bethpage State Park on Sept. 18, 2010. September 19, 2010. (Credit: Kevin P Coughlin)
Patricia Gallagher, of Holbrook, the sister of NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, spends time with him before the St. Joseph's Hospital 5K run, in honor of Navy Seal Lt. Michael Murphy at Bethpage State Park on Sept. 18, 2010. (Credit: Kevin P Coughlin )
NYPD officer Steven McDonald and his son, Conor, recite the Pledge of Allegiance on Aug, 30, 2004. (Credit: Newsday Staff Photographer/David L. Pokress)