July 13, 1986 - New York Times

“A New York City police officer was shot and critically wounded in Central Park yesterday as he and a sergeant stopped three youths that the officers thought were acting suspiciously, the police said.”

“The wounded policeman was identified as Officer Steven McDonald, 29 years old, a resident of Long Island. He was listed early this morning in critical but stable condition at Bellevue Hospital Center, where his pregnant wife stayed with him after returning from a visit to Pennsylvania.”

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July 15, 1986 - New York Times

“Over three generations, at least seven members of Steven McDonald's family have compiled 175 years of service as police officers - from his great-aunt, who became a New York City policewoman in 1925, to his father, who retired as a sergeant 10 years ago.

Fifty years ago his mother's father, James Conway, was shot in the chest as he broke up a robbery in the Bronx.”

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July 14, 1986 - New York Times

“Three teen-agers were charged yesterday in the shooting in Central Park of a plainclothes police officer, who is now in Bellevue Hospital and likely to remain paralyzed for life from the neck down, the police reported.

Police Commissioner Benjamin Ward said the officer, 29-year-old Steven McDonald was clearly identified as a policeman before a youth cut him down Saturday with three .22-caliber bullets fired from an inexpensive six-shot revolver.”

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Dec. 9, 1986 - New York Times

“Shavod Jones, a 15-year-old East Harlem youth with a history of juvenile delinquency and emotional problems, was convicted yesterday of the attempted murder of a police officer.”

“The last witness for the prosecution… was the hospital's chief neurosurgeon, who testified yesterday morning that there was little chance that Officer McDonald would ever regain the use of his arms and legs or breathe on his own.”

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March 2, 1987 - New York Times

“New York City police officer, Steven McDonald, paralyzed from the neck down and breathing with the aid of a respirator, expressed pity and forgiveness yesterday for the teenager who shot him in Central Park nine months ago.”

"On some days, when I am not feeling very well, I can get angry. But I have realized that anger is a wasted emotion, and that I have to remember why I became a police officer.''

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Jan 13 2017 - City Journal

“There were two ways to move forward,” McDonald said after the shooting. “And that was to love and forgive the boy who shot me, or as other people have done, condemn him, criticize him in the harshest terms for what he did to me and my family and friends.”

Detective First Grade Steven McDonald was no myth. He was the real deal.

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Jan 13 2017 - WNYC News

“A New York City police detective who became famous after publicly forgiving the teenage gunman who left him paralyzed 30 years ago was remembered at a funeral service at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Friday.

Thousands of police officers, dignitaries, friends, family and others inspired by McDonald's compassion attended. Eulogies were given by Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Commissioner James O'Neill, and McDonald's son Conor.”

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Aug. 26, 2020 - Christian Science Monitor

“Once he had recovered enough from his injuries to travel, McDonald embarked on a global mission for peace and forgiveness.”

“No one could have predicted that Steven would touch so many people, in New York and around the world,” said NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill. “Like so many cops, Steven joined the NYPD to make a difference in people’s lives. And he accomplished that every day.”

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