NYPD Detective Steven McDonald’s message of compassion and forgiveness is sure to live on at the “Garden of Forgiveness” in Malverne, where officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Saturday morning.

McDonald was paralyzed after being shot while on patrol in Central Park by a teenager in 1986.

He later forgave that teenager, and continued to spread the message of peace and service for the rest of his life. 

He died last year due to complications from his injuries.

The garden will be constructed in the center of Westwood Park on Foster Avenue. It’s meant to be a quiet place where people can “meditate and reflect while being surrounded by the peace of Steven’s message of faith and forgiveness,” according to its website.