NEW YORK (AP) - Police in New York City say a well-known NYPD police officer famous for forgiving the teenage gunman who left him paralyzed more than 30 years ago remains hospitalized following a heart attack.
Detective Steven McDonald has been in critical condition at North Shore University Hospital on Long Island since he suffered a heart attack this past Friday.
The 59-year-old was left a quadriplegic after he was shot in Central Park by 15-year-old Shavod Jones in 1986. McDonald publicly forgave Jones, who was later convicted of attempted murder.
McDonald has continued as an active member of the police department despite the fact that he uses a wheelchair and is only able to breathe with help from a respirator.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called McDonald “courageous and inspirational.”
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