New Yorkers bid police officer Rafael Ramos their last farewell. Thousands were in attendance at Officer Ramos' funeral at Christ's Tabernacle Church in Queens, NY. Ramos was shot dead along with colleague Wenjian Liu inside their police mobile last week.
United States Vice President Joe Biden was among those who attended the funeral.
"I believe that this great police force of this incredibly diverse city can and will show the nation how to bridge any divide," VP Biden said.
He also praised the police force, and called them "the finest police department in the world." Biden talked about Ramos, who according to him, was a "cop for all the right reasons."
"I know from personal experience that there is little anyone can say or do to ease the pain," Biden told the congregation.
Biden also shared his own tragic experience to the crowd. In 1972, his daughter and wife died in a car accident.
"Rafael Ramos was assassinated because he represented all of us," Commissioner Bill Bratton told the congregation. He also told everyone that Ramos was a hero.
Thousands of police officers paid their last respects to Ramos. Mayor Bill de Blasio was also in attendance.
Mayor de Blasio, unlike the other politicians present at the funeral, did not receive a warm response from the mourners, particularly from the New York Police.
The mayor extended his condolences to NYPD families for their loss. He went on to quote the New Testament and said how police officers are peace makers. Some officers who were not pleased with de Blasio's "siding with protesters" walked out during his 10-minute speech.
Last Saturday, officers Ramos and Liu were in their patrol car, working on a critical response call in downtown Brooklyn. The gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, moved towards the vehicle and shot both police officers in the head.
After the shooting, Brinsley fled, but also posted a photo of a bloodied shoe on Instagram with the caption, "I'm Putting Wings On Pigs Today They Take 1 Of Ours...... Let's Take 2 of Theirs #ShootThePolice."
Local authorities were able to track Brinsley as he used the cellphone he stole from his ex-girlfriend. Brinsley committed suicide later in the day.
