More than 20,000 police officers from across the country joined mourners today for the funeral of Rafael Ramos, one of the two NYPD officers tragically gunned down in an ambush last week. The service, which took place at Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens, was attended by Vice President Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. In a gesture aimed at addressing de Blasio’s response to the recent protests in NYC, thousands of police officers turned their backs when the mayor spoke.
Though mourners made certain to keep the atmosphere of the funeral highly respectful, other signs of discontent also lingered nearby. A block from where the services where held, one retired member of the NYPD held a sign reading, “God Bless the NYPD. Dump de Blasio.
Thousands of cops turned their backs to Mayor de Blasio at Rafael Ramos's funeral today http://t.co/6sUuC7qcLA http://pic.twitter.com/10zoyodBb5
— New York Post (@nypost) December 27, 2014
Relations between Mayor de Blasio and the NYC Police force have been tense since de Blasio expressed support earlier this December for protesters who objected to a grand jury’s failure to indict a NYPD officer in the death of Eric Garner. While recently discussing the protests, de Blasio also used the word “allegedly,” when referring to the actions of various protesters charged with assaulting police officers. Many members of the NYPD found the insinuation contained in the word condescending or in poor taste. Some members of the force, including Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, feel that de Blasio’s support of the protesters may have even fostered some of the anti-police sentiment that led to the murder of Ramos and his partner Wenjian Liu.
Mayor de Blasio tried to keep his remarks brief during the service, which was broadcast via a large outdoor screen to the thousands of officers unable to fit into the church where it was held. After extending his condolences to the Ramos family, the Mayor then explained that he also wanted to extend them, “to another family — the family of the NYPD — that is hurting so deeply right now.”
It was then however, that the officers outside the church began to turn their backs in silence, offering de Blasio the same response he was met with last week, when he arrived at the hospital where the officers were taken after the shooting.
Commissioner Bratton announced at the service that both officers Ramos and Liu had officially been posthumously promoted to first-grade detectives, the highest attainable level possible. Not only is the promotion meant as a gesture of respect towards the men and their families, it will also mean an increase in the benefits the families will be able to receive.
Detective Ramos was remembered by his family and friends as a selfless and deeply spiritual man who had dreams of one day becoming a pastor. His eldest son Justin Ramos said of his dad, “My father was a hero, I couldn’t have asked for a better role model.” Ramos’ wake and funeral service both took place in a church where he had enjoyed serving as an usher.
President Biden spoke for the nation when he said, “…our hearts ache for you. I know from personal experience that there is little anyone can say or do to ease the pain.” Governor Cuomo also spoke, reminding those in attendance that, “an attack on the NYPD is an attack on all of us.” He assured the assembled officers that they were not alone, insisting that, “75,000 police officers and National Guardsmen statewide have your back every step of the way.”
Thousands Of Cops Turn Backs To de Blasio At Ramos Funeral
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