NYPD Detective Steven McDonald, who was shot in the line of duty in 1986, died Tuesday morning at the age of 59.

The detective was shot in Central Park in 1986 and had been paralyzed from the neck down ever since.

McDonald suffered a heart attack last week.

He is known for publicly forgiving the 15-year-old shooter who left him a quadriplegic following the shooting.

McDonald had continued as an active member of the police department despite the fact that he used a wheelchair and was only able to breathe with help from a respirator.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio called McDonald “courageous and inspirational.”

(AP)