Nearly a decade after his passing, former New York Police Department officer Steven McDonald is the focus of a new documentary that highlights his remarkable journey from shooting victim to a symbol of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Steven McDonald was shot and paralyzed in Central Park on July 12, 1986, while working undercover to investigate a series of bicycle thefts. During the encounter, 15-year-old Shavod Jones pulled out a gun and fired three shots, striking McDonald’s spine and leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. The injury made McDonald dependent on a ventilator for the remainder of his life.

In a notable act of grace, McDonald forgave Jones in 1987 through a letter that was publicly shared by his wife. Jones served nearly nine years in prison for attempted murder before his release in 1995. He died shortly after, in a motorcycle accident in East Harlem.

The 96-minute documentary titled “Saint of the City” explores McDonald’s ongoing rehabilitation, including his time in Denver and his pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, where he initially sought a cure through prayer. The film also covers McDonald’s later efforts in peacebuilding, including his visit to Northern Ireland to console victims of the 1998 Omagh car bombing, which killed 29 people. He also took part in peace talks tied to the region’s conflict.

The film features interviews with McDonald’s widow and son, who has continued the family’s legacy by serving as an NYPD captain. It also includes conversations with the brother of Shavod Jones, providing additional perspectives on the shooting and its aftermath.

Steven McDonald died on January 10, 2017, at the age of 59, following a heart attack. The documentary seeks to honor his legacy of forgiveness and public service.