A True Hero

A NYC icon passed way this week. Officer Steven McDonald . I grew up in the old NYC, when you couldn't walk down the block without looking over your shoulder. It wasn't until people like officer McDonald stationed themselves on every shady corner that the bad guys finally lost comfort. This policing changed NYC from a place that tourists avoided, to a place that the world wanted to visit.. a young bright eyed police officer was shot and paralyzed trying to clean up the now pristine Central Park (we all now take this for granted), trying to make our city a better place. There was no political agenda here. A second generation Irish cop that was doing his job.

Officer McDonald also survived. Struggled with the implications that come for an execution bullet to the head. But him and his amazing wife Patti Ann did not allow this to become a reason to hate, and they are both stronger than I. He publicly forgave the shooter (who only served 9 years in jail as a result). Everyone I know here tells me stories about how they have seen McDonald and his wife at concerts, sporting events, and charity galas. Doesn’t this make all of our daily anxieties become… less important?

I write this because I love my city. And I love it because there are those like officer McDonald. Who have been dealt a bad deck but instead of letting terrible circumstances letting them down, use their circumstance to inspire others. I state with a very heavy heart that we have lost true national hero… And the word hero gets thrown around way too easily nowadays. He is worthy of the tears that I shed upon hearing of his passing. He has laid the groundwork for much greater aspirations for our city, and if legacy counts for anything around here, he has left a long lasting one. I find it Important to all those that are not informed of his sacrifice, to understand what this man has meant to this city. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, and may your sacrifice not be forgotten.