McDonald's only surviving sibling, a sister, lives in New York. New York City police flew her to Temple Hospital yesterday in a helicopter.
"They're good people," said Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers, who visited the McDonald family at the hospital.
McDonald's slaying added a somber note to the Philadelphia Orchestra's neighborhood concert at City Hall last night.
"One of our own was killed protecting the rest of us," Nutter told the audience of 3,000. "All he wanted to do was to come home to his family after his tour of duty. "
Nutter then listed the names of the city police officers killed recently.
"These heroes have been cut down doing their jobs for us," the mayor said. "We must wrap our arms around their families. It is in times such as these that we feel anger, despair and even frustration. However, we must remain resolute. We must stand shoulder to shoulder. These are our heroes. "
Contact staff writer Andrew Maykuth at 215-854-2947 or amaykuth@phillynews.com.
Contributing to this article were Inquirer staff writers Peter Dobrin, Kia Gregory, Michael Matza, Lita Prout and Sam Wood.
