July 12th, 1986 was the day that detective Steven McDonald was tragically shot in the line of duty and left a quadriplegic. At the time his wife Patricia Ann was pregnant with their son, Conor who next week will become a member of the newest police academy class.
On Wednesday June 30th, 2010 Steve Malzberg interviewed both Steven and his son Conor on his radio show to talk about Conor becoming a member of New York's Finest.
"I did a year of service in Denver at a shelter for runaways after I graduated from Boston College," said Conor who is 23 years old, "I saw a lot of good in the world and a lot of bad in the world and I am now going to be fortunate enough to be one of 1,250 other recruits who will be protecting New York city."
Conor says that his inspiration is his father, Steven who was left a quadriplegic after being shot by 15 year old Shavod Jones.
"Every day I watch my father and what he goes through but not one day after that shooting has he ever regretted joining the police department and that has always inspired me," said Conor.
Conor says he was compelled by the love that the city of New York gave to his family after his father's shooting. A lot of people from the police department and the city itself stepped up to help his family. They are the one's who Conor says really gave his family a second opportunity in life.
On the day Conor was baptized, his father, Steven, forgave Shavod Jones and gave Shavod a chance to turn his life around. Although the forgiveness did not turn out how everyone hoped, Steven said it was his wife who urged him to forgive the person who shot him.
"I want to say first and foremost that in this house it begins with my wife and her stregnth and love," said Steven, "She was the one that urged me to forgive Shavod and I followed her lead and Conor is lead by the two of us together."
It is no coincidence that Steven survived that night in July of 1986, especially with all the work and education he has provided to kids in schools.
"It is amazing when you speak at schools, kids are just mesmerized by you Steve," said the host of the show, Steve Malzberg.
Steven McDonald has touched a lot of lives since the tragic happening and will now have the honor of watching his son protect New York city.
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