A destiny in the NYPD

Despite a multi-generational history of family members who were officers in the New York City Police Department — and the tragic shooting of his father, Detective Steven McDonald, in Central Park in 1986, which left him a quadriplegic — Conor McDonald wasn’t truly certain that he wanted to be a police officer until 2007.

It was then that he attended the funeral of Officer Russel Timoshenko, a Belorussian immigrant who, in his second year on the force, was fatally shot in Brooklyn. Timoshenko, 23, was one of the youngest officers ever killed in the line of duty, and 10,000 people — mostly police officers — attended his funeral. “I went to his funeral and saw the brotherhood,” McDonald said. “I saw the camaraderie and the strength of his mother and father. It was inspiring.”

McDonald, 29, who was just promoted to police sergeant last month, and took the badge number of his grandfather David McDonald, reflected on the experiences that have guided him toward where he is today — enrolled in a five-week leadership training program that will prepare him to take on the duties of his new rank in Manhattan’s 10th Precinct, in Chelsea.

McDonald took the test to become a police officer when he was 18, but really didn’t think much of it. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in history, he headed to Denver to volunteer for 10 months at a homeless shelter for teens. “If I wasn’t in the Police Department today, I’d probably still be there,” he said.

He went to out West to do some “soul searching,” figure out who he was and prepare for the next step of his life. At the same time, however, the lives of those he was helping were greatly influencing him. “Where I was working in Denver, it was tough — it was really tough — and helped me understand life a lot more,” he said. “I was working with 17- to 20-year-old kids who fell through the cracks, and we were trying our best to take care of them.” After 10 months there, he got the call to join the Police Department, and decided that that was the best way he could make a difference in society. “It felt like a call from God,” he said.

But his father’s fate always lurked in the back of his mind. “The decision to be a cop was always a touchy situation because of what happened to my dad,” he said. “You’re always thinking that that can happen to you.” His parents' many sacrifices over the years due to the shooting has always been a source of inspiration and strength to him, he said.

In the six years he has been on the force — he joined in July 2010 — he has had the chance to meet men and women of varying nationalities, sexual identities, religions and beliefs. “A lot of people ask, ‘What’s the one thing you take away from your job that you love?’ and it’s the people,” he said. “If I didn’t join, I would’ve never met them.”

He is particularly thankful, McDonald said, for those who express their gratitude to the police. “Whatever part of the city you go to — the toughest part or the safest part — there will be someone who comes up to you and tells you how much you mean to them and how much they feel safe,” he said. “That means a lot to the men and women on the job, because you know your presence means something.”

Having become an NYPD detective in January, McDonald said he would like to continue progressing in his career, but it is a wait-and-see proposition. “Whatever God wants me to do,” he said when asked about his aspirations in the force. “I’d like to keep going up the ladder if I can, but a lot of things can change tomorrow.”

There is no forgetting, however, that he has always been part of the NYPD family. “I was raised by the Norrises, the McDonalds, but also by the NYPD,” he said. “There’s a lot of people on this job who have known me since I was a baby. They’re my third family. Like anything, I hope I can make everyone proud, and help and serve as many people as I can.”

“We, as parents, are very proud not only of Conor, but of the men and women promoted that day into the ranks of sergeant,” his father said, with Conor’s mother, the mayor, at his side. “They are all such remarkable people.”