Metro

Memorial garden dedicated for NYPD hero Steven McDonald

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Published Sep. 21, 2019
Updated Sep. 21, 2019, 3:08 p.m. ET
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The dedication of NYPD cop Steven McDonald's 'Garden of Forgiveness'
The dedication of NYPD cop Steven McDonald's 'Garden of Forgiveness'Edmund J Coppa
Steven's wife Patricia Ann with son Conor McDonald, and Conor's wife Katie at the memorial dedication.
Steven's wife Patricia Ann with son Conor McDonald, and Conor's wife Katie at the memorial dedication.Edmund J Coppa
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People attending Steven McDonald's memorial dedication.
People attending Steven McDonald's memorial dedication.Edmund J Coppa
Steven McDonald's memorial dedication
Edmund J Coppa
A pathway that reads "Where there is despair... hope" in the Garden of Forgiveness.
A pathway that reads "Where there is despair... hope" in the Garden of Forgiveness.Edmund J Coppa
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It’s a Garden of Steven.

Hundreds gathered at Westwood Park in Malverne, Long Island, Saturday morning for the dedication of the “Garden of Forgiveness,” which honors the life and legacy of hero NYPD cop Steven McDonald.

The Garden was created to be “a quiet place where people can meditate and reflect” and “present and future generations will come to know the message of Steven McDonald: peace, love and forgiveness,” according to its website.

McDonald’s wife, Patti Ann, son Conor, his wife, Katie and NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill were among the attendees.

“There was never a finer man than Steven McDonald. The world is a much better place because of him and a much sadder place because he’s gone,” said Ed Mahoney, who helped spearhead the drive for the Memorial Garden, which features teak benches and a fountain circled by roses and boxwoods.

McDonald was paralyzed after being shot while on patrol in Central Park by a teenager in 1986. He later forgave that teenager, and continued to spread the message of peace and service for the rest of his life. He died in 2017 due to complications from his injuries.