Central Park street renamed in honor of late NYPD detective Steven McDonald
CENTRAL PARK, Manhattan (WABC) -- The 86th Street transverse through Central Park has been renamed after the NYPD detective who died earlier this year after being shot in the park in 1986.
Steven McDonald's family and city officials, including the mayor and police commissioner, attended a ceremony co-naming the 86th Street transverse as "Detective Steven McDonald Way."
A 15-year-old shot McDonald on July 12, 1986, while the officer was responding to a bicycle theft in the park, leaving the officer paralyzed for the remainder of his life. The 59-year-old died of a heart attack in January.
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He had remained on the NYPD payroll as a detective until his death, but was also a source of support for other wounded police officers. He frequently attended NYPD events and the New York Rangers created the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award to honor one of their biggest fans.
City Council passed legislation to name the street in honor of McDonald in May.
"Detective Steven McDonald will forever be remembered as a hero who exemplified the best of our City," Mark-Viverito said. "His compassion and empathy over the last 30 years has left a lasting impact on all New Yorkers, and Detective McDonald's legacy will remain with the co-naming of this transverse."
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The state Senate approved a bill earlier this year renaming a portion of the Southern State Parkway in Long Island after the detective. Rockville Centre, where McDonald was a longtime resident, also has a street sign that reads "104 Detective Steven McDonald Way" next to the village's police station.
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