17 Jul 2026 The Police Academy Is Renamed for Detective Steven D. McDonald
The New York City Police Foundation was honored to help commemorate a historic moment by supporting the official renaming of the NYPD Police Academy as the Detective Steven D. McDonald Police Academy.
To ensure Detective McDonald’s legacy is permanently woven into the place where officers begin their careers, the Foundation funded seven new signs bearing his name, including the prominent display above the Academy’s entrance and throughout the state-of-the-art training facility. Every future NYPD officer who walks through its doors will be reminded of his extraordinary courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment to service.
The historic dedication took place on July 16, 2026, exactly 42 years to the day after Detective McDonald first entered the Academy as a recruit. Hundreds gathered together with Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, NYPD leadership, and members of the McDonald family, including Steven’s widow, Patti Ann, and his son, Captain Conor McDonald, for the ceremony. The 30-acre Queens campus now bears the name of one of the NYPD’s most revered heroes, a fallen detective whose resilience and message of forgiveness inspired generations of officers and New Yorkers alike.
For decades after suffering life-changing injuries in the line of duty, Detective McDonald became a powerful symbol of courage and grace, choosing forgiveness over bitterness, including toward the teenager who nearly took his life. His example has left an enduring mark on the NYPD and on the city he served.
With the Academy now carrying his name, Detective Steven D. McDonald’s legacy will forever have a home where New York’s Finest begin their journey, inspiring future generations of officers to lead with courage, integrity, compassion, and service. The New York City Police Foundation is proud to help preserve that legacy, reinforcing the values that strengthen the NYPD and support our shared mission of building a safer city together.
