Part Of Southern State Renamed In Honor Of Det. Steven McDonald

Last week, officials from all over the area came together to celebrate the renaming of a large portion of the Southern State Parkway in honor of Det. Steven McDonald.

The Detective Steven McDonald Memorial Highway now runs from the Belt Parkway through a large portion of Nassau County to the Meadowbrook Parkway. The state approved the name change last June, and now will begin installing signs along the roadway.

"The Detective Steven McDonald Memorial Highway will touch both the City of New York and the Village of Malverne in Nassau County, where he lived with his family," said NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill. "By teaching peace and forgiveness, despite the challenges he so bravely faced, Steven touched the world. That’s exactly what Detective Steven McDonald did in life, and it’s what he continues to do as we remember his courage, his strength and his sacrifice."

McDonald's story is a famous one in the area. While on duty in 1986, with his pregnant wife Patty at home, then-Officer McDonald was shot while making an arrest and paralyzed from the neck down. He famously forgave the young man that shot him, and became a symbol of tolerance and forgiveness around the country.

Last January, McDonald died from a heart attack caused by complications of his injury.

When the idea was first floated to rename part of the highway after McDonald, it received unanimous support from Long Island's state representatives. All nine Long Island senators co-sponsored the bill in the Senate, and Assemblyman Brian Curran was happy to sponsor it in the Assembly. It easily passed both houses.

"The renaming of this highway honors the life, service, sacrifice and family of Detective McDonald," Curran said. "Every day, when residents drive this stretch of highway bearing his name, they will be reminded of the extraordinary life he lived, but just as importantly the manner in which he lived it. Steven McDonald was a living symbol of peace and forgiveness and an example for all us. We are proud of Det. McDonald and we thank his family for their sacrifice."

Photo: Todd Kaminsky's Office