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Image: NYPD officers attend the funeral ceremony of Detective Steven McDonald at St.Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

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NYPD Remembers Paralyzed Officer Who Forgave Shooter

Det. Steven McDonald, who died on Jan. 10 at age 59, is best known for his public forgiveness of the shooter who left him paralyzed in 1986.

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Image: NYPD officers attend the funeral ceremony of Detective Steven McDonald at St.Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

NYPD officers attend the funeral ceremony of Detective Steven McDonald at St.Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13. McDonald was shot on July 12, 1986, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. He famously forgive his then-15-year-old assailant. He died on Jan. 10 at the age of 59.

— Alba Vigaray / EPA
Image: NYPD helicopters fly over Midtown to honor Detective Steven McDonald on Jan. 13 in New York City.

NYPD helicopters fly over Midtown to honor Detective Steven McDonald on Jan. 13 in New York City.

— Afton Almaraz / Getty Images
Image: Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald, wife of Detective Steven McDonald, and their son Conor follow McDonald's casket at St. Patrick's Cathedral during his funeral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald, wife of Detective Steven McDonald, and their son Conor follow McDonald's casket at St. Patrick's Cathedral during his funeral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

— Spencer Platt / Getty Images
Image: Police officers fill New York's Fifth Avenue prior to the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

Police officers fill New York's Fifth Avenue prior to the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

— Jason Szenes / EPA
Image: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attends the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio attends the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

— Spencer Platt / Getty Images
Image: People pause on the street during the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

People pause on the street during the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

— Spencer Platt / Getty Images
Image: Police officers fill New York's Fifth Avenue prior to the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

Police officers fill New York's Fifth Avenue prior to the funeral for Detective Steven McDonald at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York, New York on Jan. 13.

— Jason Szenes / EPA
Image: Patricia McDonald, center, and Sgt. Conor McDonald, right, the widow and son of Detective Steven McDonald, leave his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York, New York.

Patricia McDonald, center, and Sgt. Conor McDonald, right, the widow and son of Detective Steven McDonald, leave his funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Jan. 13 in New York, New York.

— Richard Drew / AP
Image: The casket of Detective Steven McDonald is brought out of St. Patrick's Cathedral during his funeral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

The casket of Detective Steven McDonald is brought out of St. Patrick's Cathedral during his funeral on Jan. 13 in New York City.

 

See more from this story on NBC New York

— Spencer Platt / Getty Images
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