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

McDonald was shot in the line of duty by three bullets fired by 15 year old Shavod Jones whom he was questioning about bicycle thefts in Central Park, New York City. Jones served a brief time in prison for the shooting and was killed in a motorcycle accident after his release. One of the bullets that hit him shattered his spine, paralyzing him from the neck down and leaving him quadriplegic.^[1]

During his recovery in Bellevue Hospital, Father Mychal F. Judge became one of his, wife Patti Ann's and son Conor's greatest friends until Father Judge's death in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.^[2][3] McDonald identified Judge's body on the evening of September 11.^{[citation needed]} He has become a noted public speaker, notably on behalf of the NYPD, peace initiatives in Northern Ireland, and with the U.S. Navy (he was a hospital corpsman) and speaking with students about violence and forgiveness.

His wife of over twenty years, Patricia Ann McDonald was elected Mayor of Malverne on Long Island in March 2007.^[4][5]

[edit] 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.^[6]

[edit] References