NEW YORK - A massive crowd gathered inside St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown on Friday morning to pay their final respects to NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who was considered a true hero by the city he once served.
McDonald, 59, suffered a heart attack last Friday and was taken off life support Tuesday.
He was paralyzed after being shot by a teenager while on duty in Central Park in 1986.
McDonald was only given five years to live, but he survived for 30.
He forgave his shooter and spent the rest of his life working for peace.
Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who spoke at the funeral service. He said McDonald touched tens of thousands of lives and millions more who were moved by his example.
"He was synonymous with all that is great about our police department and our city," De Blasio said. "We have an obligation to tell his story, especially at this time.
"We need more healing, we need more love, we need more understanding," the mayor continued. "And who better to teach us than Detective Steven McDonald?"
Police Commissioner James O'Neill recalled the tremendous impact McDonald had on his life.
"What we can learn from Steven's life is this: the cycle of violence that plagues so many lives today can be overcome only by breaking down the walls that separate people,'' he said. "The best tools for doing this, Steven taught us, are love, respect, and forgiveness.''We honor and will #NeverForget Detective Steven McDonald. In a sign of respect, thousands of officers lined up this morning on 5th Avenue. pic.twitter.com/YBiL0qv3aH
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) January 13, 2017
Let us ask that Steven's fellow cops continue to be blessed & protected. For they are the ones who will forever carry on his important work. pic.twitter.com/3ZPIryk7lV
— Commissioner O'Neill (@NYPDONeill) January 13, 2017
Also in attendance were former mayors and political rivals Rudy Giuliani and David Dinkins, who sat next to one another.
Former "Late Show" host David Letterman and former New York Ranger Adam Graves were also among those seated in the pews.
"I’m here to make one thing very, very clear: Steven McDonald meant more to the New York Rangers and our fans than we could ever mean to him," Graves said.
McDonald and his son Conor were big hockey fans, attending many Rangers games.
Conor McDonald, who was born six months after his father's shooting, is now a sergeant in the NYPD. He spoke during the service and gently kissed his dad's casket as he approached the pulpit.
"To me, as to many of you, my father was a real Superman. Since the day he was viciously shot, my father faced an endless amount of hardship that most of us here will never be able to imagine," Conor said. "However, my father got up every day, kept the faith in Jesus Christ, and conquered his life."
Connor McDonald said his dad, who remained with the NYPD to the end, loved his shield, his bosses, and his fellow police officers.
"When God made my dad as a cop, he broke the mold," Connor said.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan presided and the homily was delivered by Monsignor Seamus O'Boyle, the priest who performed the marriage ceremony for McDonald and his wife Patti Ann. Mourners heard tributes to Patti Ann for the care and love she gave him.
As McDonald's casket was brought out of St. Patrick's, there was one final salute by his fellow officers and by the city he served.