Hospital's fundraising 5k honors hero Navy SEAL

In honor of two of Long Island's heroes, more than 500 people came to Bethpage State Park Sunday to run, jog and walk in a 5k race to help raise money for St. Joseph Hospital in Bethpage.

In two prior years, organizers honored Lt. Michael P. Murphy, the slain Navy SEAL and Medal of Honor winner from Patchogue who was killed in June 2005 during an ambush in eastern Afghanistan.

This year, organizers also recognized NYPD Det. Steven McDonald, of Malverne, who was shot and left paralyzed.

McDonald, chairman of the event, was a Navy reservist from 1975 to 1982. He and Murphy's father, Daniel Murphy of Wading River, were on hand Sunday to watch the race.

The theme of this year's race, said Daniel Murphy, is one hero honoring another.

"We couldn't think of anyone else who could stand up and represent Michael's memory better than a true hero himself - Det. Steven McDonald," Murphy said.

McDonald, in an interview, said, "I think an event like today's helps us to remember what Michael and his family sacrificed on that mountain hill in Afghanistan, and his friends and comrades continue to do till this day."

McDonald was shot in the neck by a 15-year-old in 1985 while on duty in Central Park.

In all, organizers raised $30,000 from the 531 participants. The money will go to the emergency department at St. Joseph Hospital, which sponsored the race. Patients made 37,000 visits to the hospital's emergency room last year, said Dr. Aaron Glatt, president and chief executive of St. Joseph.

Crossing together at the finish line Sunday was Dr. Ihab Ibrahim of Shoreham and his daughters, Sandra, 13, and Alexa, 8.

"This has become a family event," said Ibrahim, 40, who works at the hospital. "I wish we could hear more about these unsung heroes."

His daughter Sandra ran, she said, to help raise money for the hospital. "I think everyone in there should be cured," she said.

Robert Ackerman, 41, of Ronkonkoma, who ran his first 5k race in nearly two decades, said he was moved by Michael Murphy's story. Ackerman brough along his 2-year-old twin sons, who seemed comfortable in their jogging stroller.

"The world is a better place because of him," Ackerman said.