Long Island Community Honors Fallen NYPD Detective Steven McDonald 4 Years After Death

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- NYPD Detective Steven McDonald is being honored on Long Island four years after his death.

McDonald's widow, Patti-Ann, and the couple's son, NYPD Sergeant Conor McDonald, helped unveil a commemorative sign at McDonald Pond in Hempstead Lake State Park on Friday.

"He would come here. He would drive the van up. He would sit here right by the sign, and he would pray the rosary," Patti-Ann McDonald said. "This place brought Steven a lot of solace, peace and happiness."

McDonald, who grew up in Rockville Centre, was shot and left paralyzed in 1986 when he was a department rookie. But he forgave the gunman.

Det. McDonald died in 2017 after suffering a heart attack.

His widow says she's sure visitors to the pond named in her husband's honor will also feel peace, solace and hope.

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In:
• Hempstead Lake State Park
• New York City Police Department
• New York