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Det. Steven McDonald Remembered as 'Real Superman' at Tear-Filled Funeral

By Trevor Kapp | January 13, 2017 2:13pm
 Thousands filled St. Patrick's Cathedral and Fifth Avenue to mourn McDonald. 
PHOTOS: Thousands Mourn Inspirational NYPD Officer Steven McDonald
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MIDTOWN — A St. Patrick's Cathedral packed with police officers heard the son of Det. Steven McDonald remember his father as the “real Superman” who did more while wheelchair bound than most able-bodied dads ever could.

The body of McDonald, who famously forgave the 15-year-old gunman who paralyzed him with three shots fired in Central Park in 1986, was laid in a brown casket covered by a cream-colored cloth at the front of the cathedral.

“He was the greatest man I could have asked to be my father,” his son, NYPD Sgt. Conor McDonald, said in an emotional eulogy that brought McDonald’s widow, Patti Ann, to tears.

“To me, my father was the real Superman. He’s a legend who will never have a comparison.”

McDonald died Tuesday after his family removed him from the life support respirator that he used for 30 years. He had suffered a heart attack last week.

In the years following the shooting, McDonald traveled the world to places like Bosnia and Ireland preaching peace and perseverance. He also served as a constant source of inspiration for the NYPD, often speaking to academy graduates and at roll calls.

About 2,000 mourners — including more than 1,000 dressed in their NYPD blues — packed the Fifth Avenue cathedral to capacity Friday.

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill called McDonald one of the most remarkable men he’d ever met.

“Although a bullet paralyzed him, you could never stop his commitment to serve others,” he said.

“He was a larger-than-life symbol of forgiveness.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio, former Mayors Rudy Giuliani and David Dinkins and former Police Commissioners Bill Bratton and Ray Kelly were also in attendance, as was David Letterman, a close family friend.

“He became the greatest embodiment of what it means to be a member of the NYPD,” de Blasio said.

“Imagine how easy it would be to fall in self pity… but Steven McDonald was a hero, a hero who overcame all the pain and all the challenges.”

Former New York Ranger Adam Graves told mourners that McDonald — a die-hard hockey fan  — was a constant source of inspiration for his team.

“He was passionate, knowledgeable, loyal and tough,” Graves said.

“Steven McDonald meant more to the New York Rangers than we could ever mean to him.”

Following the mass, McDonald’s casket was led out of the cathedral draped in a green NYPD flag as the department band played “Amazing Grace.”

Conor McDonald saluted his dad’s casket as it was led into a gray hearse before being driven down Fifth Avenue.