Det. McDonald urges Bay Ridge kids to forgive
Shot cop tells students to have compassion
A police detective who was shot in the line of duty 30 years ago and was left a quadriplegic came to St.Patrick Catholic Academy in Bay Ridge on Friday and delivered a powerful message of faith, hope and forgiveness to students who were riveted by his every word.
Det. Steven McDonald, who frequently visits schools in New York City to talk to kids, was also the first person ever to use the St. Patrick Academy’s newly built wheelchair ramp. The Rev. Msgr. Michael Hardiman, pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church, blessed the ramp with Holy Water before McDonald ascended the ramp in his wheelchair and entered the auditorium.
Principal Kathleen Curatolo, who introduced McDonald to her students, said that the hero cop was there to deliver an important message to them. “I know we’ll be hanging onto every word,” she said.