NYPD Training Academy Renamed After Det. Steven McDonald

The New York City Police Academy will honor the officer who famously forgave his teenage shooter.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The New York City Police Academy in College Point, Queens, will be renamed after Det. Steven McDonald, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced on Monday. McDonald was shot on the job in 1986 and became a quadriplegic, but he went on to inspire others with his act of forgiveness of the 15-year-old who pulled the trigger.

Why it matters

Det. Steven McDonald's story of forgiveness and perseverance in the face of tragedy has made him an inspirational figure within the NYPD and the broader New York community. Renaming the police academy after him will ensure his legacy lives on and continues to inspire future generations of officers.

The details

On July 12, 1986, Steven McDonald, then a rookie officer, was shot three times by a teen robbery suspect in Central Park. One of the bullets severed his spine, leaving him paralyzed on a respirator. In the years following the shooting, McDonald took his message of forgiveness to precincts, parades and schools, before passing away in 2017 at the age of 59.

  • The New York City Police Academy will be officially renamed on July 16, 2026 - 42 years to the day Steven McDonald joined the NYPD.
  • McDonald was shot and paralyzed on July 12, 1986.

The players

Jessica Tisch

NYPD Commissioner who announced the renaming of the police academy.

Steven McDonald

NYPD detective who was shot and paralyzed in 1986, but went on to inspire others with his message of forgiveness.

Patti Ann McDonald

Steven McDonald's wife.

Conor McDonald

Steven McDonald's son, who followed in his father's footsteps by joining the NYPD.

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What they’re saying

“We remember not only the courage that he showed after his life was changed unimaginably, but the character Det. McDonald demonstrated through his refusal to be defined by bitterness, and his commitment to dignity and forgiveness.”

— Jessica Tisch, NYPD Commissioner (cbsnews.com)

“This is a calling. This is a tough job, but it's a great job. He was the living example of the men and women who were killed before and after him in the New York City Police Department.”

— Conor McDonald, NYPD Captain (cbsnews.com)

“Had I sought revenge, I would've been a dead man already.”

— Steven McDonald (cbsnews.com)

“He knew that he had to forgive the young boy in order for him to be a husband and father.”

— Patti Ann McDonald (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The NYPD Training Academy will be officially renamed the Steven McDonald NYPD Training Academy on July 16, 2026.

The takeaway

Det. Steven McDonald's inspiring story of forgiveness and perseverance in the face of tragedy has made him a revered figure within the NYPD and the broader New York community. Renaming the police academy after him ensures his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of officers to uphold the values of compassion, dignity, and service that he embodied.