The Long Island Assembly, the patriotic arm of the Knights of Columbus, has announced that NYPD Detective Steven McDonald will receive posthumously the group’s prestigious 2017 annual Pro Patria Award.
McDonald, a long-term quadriplegic, died from a heart attack on January 10, 2017. A devout Roman Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, the hero cop, also a U.S. Navy veteran, was shot three times by a 15-year-old in Central Park back on July 12, 1986.
His son Conor, a NYPD sergeant, has agreed to lead Brooklyn’s 112th annual American Independence Day Parade in memory of his father. McDonald’s wife Patricia Ann will receive the award on his behalf at a brief ceremony inside the church on Court Street, on June 24, prior to the start of the parade.
Prior Pro Patria recipients have included Monsignor Robert Romano, Monsignor David Cassato, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, Michael Long and Ed Wilkinson.
A testimonial dinner was held for James Nania, the immediate past Faithful Navigator of the Long Island Assembly of the Knights of Columbus. During the ceremonies, he received several citations for his years of service. One of the more prominent awards was a citation from the New York State Chapter of the K of C that was presented by State Secretary and soon to be the new State Deputy, Kenneth Latham Jr, a Brooklyn native.
Former GOP County Chair Craig Eaton, a past chair of Community Board 10, formally endorsed Republican primary City Council contender Bob Capano running to gain the seat being vacated by Democratic Councilmember Vinnie Gentile. He was joined at a political fundraiser at the Bean Post Pub on Fifth Avenue by former mayor candidate John Catsimatidis and by Curtis Sliwa, founder and head of the Guardian Angels.
May her memory be a blessing 
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