Hero Steven McDonald is laid to rest

A sea of blue outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral this morning. Photo by Madeline O’Boyle.


By Ray O’Hanlon

Detective Steven McDonald, an inspiration to so many people around the world, was eulogized today in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at a funeral with the ceremony that the City of New York, and its police department, reserves for its finest sons.

The NYPD escorted its fallen brother in a funeral cortege that made its way into Manhattan from Malverne, Long Island, home to McDonald, his wife Patti Ann, and their son Conor, a sergeant in the NYPD.

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Outside the cathedral there was an honor guard, the pipes and drums of the NYPD Emerald Society and rows of NYPD officers in dress uniform.

The funeral cortege arrived outside St. Patrick’s escorted by one hundred motorcycle officers.

A commissioner of the force would be hard put to get a bigger sendoff.

“Steven lived despite the odds, a fun and fulfilling life. In a serious reversal of roles, it was Steven, a paralyzed man, who touched the lives of so many people,” said Monsignor Seamus O’Boyle who is a cousin of Patti Ann McDonald.

The concelebrated funeral Mass, which lasted for the better part of two hours, was presided over by Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

Detective McDonald, who was 59, died last Tuesday at a Long Island hospital after suffering a heart attack the previous Friday.

McDonald was left a quadriplegic after being shot three times in Central Park in 1986.

He later forgave the 15-year-old shooter.

McDonald, who was promoted to detective first grade, and had continued an active career with the NYPD, was a widely known and respected peace activist.

Despite being confined to a wheelchair that included a machine to enable his breathing, he carried his message of forgiveness and reconciliation to other parts of the world over the years, including Northern Ireland.

He was honored at the 2010 Irish Echo Law & Order Awards for his work on behalf of peace and reconciliation, and for the inspiration he provided to so many others.

The son of a police officer, McDonald, a member of AOH Division 14, looked on proudly last year as his 29-year-old son, Conor, was presented with his gold detective shield and promoted to sergeant.

“He’s always made us proud. I have to salute him now,” said Steven at that promotion ceremony.

Conor McDonald described his father’s presence at the promotion ceremony as a “gift from God.”

After today’s Mass, Detective McDonald’s remains were taken to Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury, Long Island for burial.

 

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