Steven McDonald

Steven McDonald is a NYPD detective who was shot on July 12, 1986.[1] The shooting left him quadriplegic. He is the most seriously injured New York City Police officer to survive his injury.

Shooting

A former U.S. Navy hospital corpsman and third generation police officer,[2] McDonald was shot three times in the line of duty by 15-year-old Shavod Jones (1971–1995) whom he was questioning about bicycle thefts in Central Park. Detective McDonald and a co-worker were on patrol in Central Park, because there had been reports a robbery in the park. Three young boys between the age of 13 and 15 looked suspicious and started running away when the two police officers went towards them. They split up, and McDonald found them hiding in some bushes. He started to question them, and noticed something in the sock of one of the boys and when he wanted to see what it was, he was shot and nearly killed. The first of the three bullets that hit Steven McDonald hit him in the head, above his eye. The second hit his throat which caused him to have a speaking disability and the third shattered his spine, paralyzing him from the neck down and leaving him quadriplegic and in need of a ventilator.

Jones served nine years in prison for the shooting, and was killed in a motorcycle accident on September 9, 1995, three days after his release on parole. Earlier, Jones called Detective Steven McDonald to apologize, but the two never met in person after the incident.[3]

During McDonald's recovery in Bellevue Hospital, he met Father Mychal Judge, who became a close friend to him, his wife Patti Ann and son Conor.[4][5] McDonald formally identified Judge's body on the evening of September 11, 2001.

Several months after his terrible injuries, McDonald reported to the press that he had forgiven the 15 year-old Jones for his actions. McDonald discusses the reasons for his forgiveness in some detail in the Foreword of a book entitled, "Why Forgive?", written by Johann Cristoff Arnold, a pastor and friend. There is a separate chapter in the book, written by Arnold, which discusses McDonald's great generosity of spirit and the nature of his forgiveness.[6]

He has become a noted public speaker, notably on behalf of the NYPD, peace initiatives in Northern Ireland (see The Troubles), the U.S. Navy and speaking with students about violence and forgiveness.

Personal life

McDonald's wife of over twenty years, Patricia Ann "Patti" McDonald, was elected Mayor of Malverne on Long Island in March 2007.[7] At the time of the shooting, they had been married for less than a year and Patti was pregnant with their son Conor, who has since followed his father's footsteps and joined the NYPD in 2010.[1][2]

Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award

The New York Rangers of the NHL established the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award in his honor following the 1987–88 season. Detective McDonald personally presents a Ranger with a trophy and a $25,000 check (in the player's name) made out to the Steven McDonald Foundation.[8]

Cam Talbot 2014–15
Mats Zuccarello 2013–14
Ryan Callahan 2012–13
Ryan Callahan 2011–12
Brandon Prust 2010–11
Ryan Callahan 2009–10
Ryan Callahan 2008–09
Brandon Dubinsky 2007–08
Jed Ortmeyer 2006–07
Henrik Lundqvist 2005–06
Jed Ortmeyer 2003–04
Matthew Barnaby 2002–03
Sandy McCarthy 2001–02
Sandy McCarthy 2000–01
Adam Graves 1999–2000
Adam Graves 1998–99
Wayne Gretzky 1997–98
Brian Leetch 1996–97
Mark Messier 1995–96
Mark Messier 1994–95
Adam Graves 1993–94
Adam Graves 1992–93
Adam Graves 1991–92
Jan Erixon 1990–91
John Vanbiesbrouck and Kelly Kisio 1989–90
Tony Granato 1988–89
Jan Erixon 1987–88

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "25 Years Later, Paralyzed NYPD Detective McDonald Still Inspiring Others". CBS New York. July 12, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "NYPD Photo Release — McDonald, Driscoll Shields". nyc.gov. December 16, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Profile of Steven McDonald". Breaking the Cycle. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  4. ↑ Fournier, Keith A. (11 September 2008). "Fr. Mychal Judge: Ground Zero Hero". Catholic Online. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  5. ↑ Ford, Michael (2002). Father Mychal Judge: An Authentic American Hero. Paulist Press. ISBN 0-8091-0552-7.
  6. ↑ "Why Forgive?", written by Johann Cristoff Arnold, Orbis Press, Maryknoll New York 10545
  7. ↑ "Wife of paralyzed cop elected village mayor". New York Daily News. Associated Press. March 21, 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  8. ↑ "Extra Effort Award". New York Rangers.

Further reading