Al's Biography
Alfred Francis McDonald, Jr. was born on March 20, 1927 to Alfred Francis McDonald, Sr. and his wife, Alta, in Buffalo, New York. Al grew up in Buffalo, and at the age of 17, entered the United States Navy to serve in World War II. This was in 1944 through 1947. Upon returning to the states after his tour of duty, Al married Mary Margaret (Peg) Barry on May 8, 1948. Al worked on the South Buffalo railroad as a brakeman at that time. On October 12, 1950, Al was told, while working, that he had phone call from his wife, and that she was at the hospital. This was the day Al became a father for the first time. Mary M. McDonald was born. Now a father and a husband, Al returned to work and then stopped off to celebrate with his co-workers, before returning to the hospital. Al then began the typical father/husbandly role of being the breadwinner for the family.

Shortly after this, on December 15, 1950, Al received his orders to report for active duty in the Navy once again. He was being called for the Korean Conflict. After re-entering the Navy, a month later on January 15, 1951, Al was drafted to be part of the crew of the U.S.S. Silverstein. After returning from the Navy again, Al returned to working on the railroad. On March 21, 1953, Al became a father for the second time; Kathleen McDonald was born. Then on November 18, 1955, Al became a father for the third time; Patricia McDonald was born. In 1956, Al began his career as a police officer with the Buffalo, New York Police Department. On December 26 of that year, Al became a father for the fourth time; Kevin McDonald was born. Nearly two years later, on December 18, 1958, Al became a father again for the fifth time; when Brigid McDonald was born.

During his service with the police department, Al attended the Federal Bureau Of Investigation National Academy and graduated in 1972. He then attended the University of Louisville, Kentucky School of Police Administration and the National Crime Prevention Institute, graduating in 1973. After this, Al earned his Bachelor of Science - "Cum Laude" in criminal justice from the State University College at Buffalo. Al also completed additional study seminars in Law School - 1 year, Criminal Justice Program for Police Officers and Lawyers-under auspices of Buffalo Law School and Erie County Bar Association at State University of Buffalo. He attended extension courses at Cornell University, and 80 hours of mandatory Police Supervision-New York State Municipal Police Training Council, Riot Control Training and graduated from the Buffalo Police Training Academy. Al also learned skills such as: Management and Personnel skills, Public Relations & Public Speaking, Communications & Business Ethics, Business Law and Labor Relations, Industrial Safety & Security, Organizational Planning Implementation, Political Science & Government, Environmental Waste-Clean Up Personnel, became an Investigative Instructor, Earned the rank of Police Lieutenant and Detective Supervisor and also learned Administrative and Business Office Procedures. Al was also appointed to be part of the bodyguard squad protecting Senator John F. Kennedy in 1960. In photo from left to right: Alfred F. McDonald, Livio Bastiani, President John F. Kennedy, Detective Robert Gavin, Detective Sergeant Edward Mahoney and Detective Sergeant Edward Watson.

On September 3, 1960, Al became a father again for the sixth time; Timothy McDonald was born. Al became a father for the final time, on November 11, 1964 when William McDonald was born. After retiring from the Buffalo Police Department, Al took the pen name of Alfred Smith McDonald in honor of his mother's maiden name.
After taking this pen name, Al began working on his book titled: Korea ‘Operation War Dance’. After completing his book, Al paid, out of his own pocket, to have the book published. Al is currently working out the details to have the book for sale on the Amazon.com website. Now, at the age of 77, Al is working on his second book detailing the daily life of a Buffalo, New York police officer.
On May 7, 2004, after a long battle with cancer, Al passed away.