Rangers Icon Has Number Retired
Though he never wore the New York Rangers sweater, NYPD Detective Steven McDonald was one of the most recognizable faces at Madison Square Garden. And in a ceremony on Wednesday, the NYPD retired his badge number.
As many of you know, Detective Steven McDonald was shot and injured in the line of duty in Central Park in the summer of 1986. McDonald persevered through his limitations and became an inspiration to scores of people in New York City and around the world. To honor the bravery of the Detective, the Rangers established the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award to honor the player that “goes above and beyond the call of duty,” as voted on by the fans. McDonald passed away in January 2017, and the award has taken on an even greater meaning as his wife Patti Ann and son Conor, who is also an NYPD officer, continue to keep McDonald’s memory alive.
At the ceremony, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio and NYPD Commissioner O’Neill retired Badge Number 15231 in McDonald’s honor. A fellow officer had been assigned the badge number, but said that he was more than happy to give it up when asked. “That shield was assigned to me when I graduated the police academy, at random I guess,” McNamara, who serves in 105 Precinct in Queens, said. “As soon as I found out I was shocked.” Conor McDonald added that it was beautiful for him to see a fellow officer hand over the badge number. “Being a cop I know how important your first shield is,” Conor said. “For him to give up his shield in honor of my father … this is a beautiful moment.”
To read the original story from the NY Post, click here
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