Funeral Mass celebrated for hero Detective Steven McDonald

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With black bands over their shields, hundreds of New York City police officers gathered in buses, vans, SUVs and on motorcycles early Friday morning to lead a massive procession carrying NYPD Detective Steven McDonald from St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan, where his funeral Mass was celebrated.

McDonald, 59, a Malverne resident who became known nationwide for his messages of forgiveness and peace after being shot in Central Park in 1986, died Jan. 10, according to the NYPD.

McDonald’s death came four days after he suffered a heart attack at his home and was rushed to North Shore University Hospital, where he had been in critical but stable condition, authorities reported.

McDonald's funeral procession left Rockville Centre, where he grew up, as the orange morning sunlight slanted over St. Agnes Cathedral. A stark-white statue of Mother Mary, with her arms outstretched, stood beside the gray Cadillac hearse into which McDonald's casket was laid. A green-and-blue American-like flag, representing New York City and the NYPD's Irish heritage, was draped over his casket.

Bishop William Murphy, the outgoing spiritual leader of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and a personal friend of McDonald, led the procession in a black sedan.

Dozens of mourners gathered along the streets outside St. Agnes. A mother with her two daughters stood across the way from the Parish Center, where the procession began. A man stood straight and tall, opposite the family, saluting.

The procession arrived at St. Patrick's at mid-morning. Church bells rang as it pulled up. Dozens of police motorcycles led the motorcade to the cathedral's front steps. The first car held Patricia Ann McDonald, Steven's wife, and the Village of Malverne mayor; their son, police Sgt. Conor McDonald; and the rest of their family.

It was a surreal sight as his casket was hoisted high by New York City police and carried into the cathedral. Not a sound could be heard, except for the church bells.

McDonald, who became a quadriplegic because of the shooting, had been breathing with the help of a respirator since the shooting 30 years ago.

“Detective McDonald is the very example of the pride and dedication that he has shown throughout his NYPD career,” a statement from the New York Police Department read. “He inspired us all and his memory will live on. Please have Detective McDonald and his family in your thoughts.”

In a 2016 interview with the Herald, McDonald had what he described as a spiritual awakening after being shot three times by his assailant, Shavod Jones, who was 15 at the time. McDonald publicly forgave Jones several months after the shooting, although the two never met. Jones was killed in a motorcycle accident three days after being released from prison in 1995, having served nine of a 10-year sentence.

Since the shooting, McDonald has spoken to numerous organizations across the country and abroad, spreading his message about the power of God, faith, forgiveness, and peace. “Having experienced the life changing event that he did — and speaking of forgiveness so many times all over the world — where do you find the strength to forgive but by turning to God,” said Rev. Douglas Arcoleo of the Holy Redeemer Church in Freeport. McDonald had been a frequent parishioner there, Arcoleo said, because the church has a perpetual adoration chapel that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.