Thousands attend wake for NYC officer

NEW YORK – Thousands of uniformed police officers from New York City and around the country gathered Friday at the solemn, eight-hour wake of a city policeman who was killed along with his partner in a brazen daytime shooting a week ago.

Mayor Bill de Blasio, who had been criticized by the police union for his handling of protests critical of officers, briefly attended Officer Rafael Ramos’ viewing at the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens, where Ramos was brought in a flag-draped casket and viewed in full dress uniform.

“Dad, I’m forever grateful of the sacrifices you made to provide for me and Jaden,” Ramos’ son, Justin, said during the wake, referring to his younger brother, as officers gathered in the street watched on giant television screens.

Ramos’ funeral is scheduled for today. Vice President Joseph Biden and Mayor de Blasio have said they’ll attend. The funeral for Ramos’ partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, hasn’t yet been announced.

Throughout the day, colleagues and those who knew him described Ramos as a selfless and compassionate man.

The 40-year-old’s commanding officer, NYPD Capt. Sergio Centa, said he was studying to be a pastor.

“He had Bible study books in his locker, which is rare for a police officer, but that goes to show you the type of man he was,” Centa said.

Ramos and Liu were shot to death without warning Dec. 20 while sitting in their patrol car on a Brooklyn street.

Gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley, before he attacked Ramos and Liu, had referenced in online posts the high-profile killings by white police officers of unarmed black men, specifically Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner on Staten Island. Brinsley, who was black, committed suicide soon after shooting the officers.

Their killings ramped up emotions in the already tense national debate over police conduct. Since the deaths, police in New York say they have arrested seven people accused of threatening officers.

Police union officials have criticized de Blasio, saying he contributed to a climate of mistrust toward police amid protests over the deaths of black men at the hands of white officers. Union officials have said the mayor’s response, including his mention of how he often fears for the safety of his biracial son in his interactions with police, helped set the stage for the killings.

There was no reaction from officers at Ramos’ viewing when de Blasio arrived shortly after 9 p.m. and left about 15 minutes later.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who attended the wake earlier in the day, has called for calm after the head of the police union said the mayor had blood on his hands the day Ramos and Liu were killed.

And after the killings, de Blasio called for a temporary halt to demonstrations, denouncing as “divisive” a demonstration that took place anyway on Thursday.