The eyes of the nation were on Glendale this weekend as its streets were lined with more than 20,000 police officers in uniform for the wake and funeral of slain police officer Rafael Ramos, who was gunned down with his partner while on duty in Brooklyn on Dec. 20.
The funeral was attended by Vice President Joe Biden, along with virtually every city, state and federal official from New York, including Gov. Cuomo and Mayor de Blasio — raising security levels and forcing police to shut down streets and limit parking throughout the normally quiet community.
PO Rafael Ramos and his partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, were murdered by a deranged gunman while they were sitting in their patrol car on a Bedford-Stuyvesant Street. The gunman, who committed suicide after shooting both cops, had indicated he was going to kill police officers.
Ramos’ wake and funeral were held in Christ Tabernacle Church, located at 64-34 Myrtle Ave., on Dec. 26 and 27 respectively. Over 20,000 police officers made their way to the church along with law enforcement and elected officials from around the country.
Biden delivered a stirring, 14-minute eulogy in remembrance of Ramos.
“It is only when a tragedy like this occurs when all of their friends, neighbors and people who didn’t even know them become aware of and reminded of the sacrifices they make every single, solitary day to make our lives better,” Biden said. “Police officers are a different breed. Thank God for them, thank God for them.”
The day wasn’t without its controversy, when ranks of NYPD cops in uniform turned their backs toward the mayor as he spoke. The PBA and some of the rank and file from the NYPD are angry with de Blasio because they feel that he has sided with protesters more than with cops.
The city has been hit with daily protests since a Staten Island grand jury declined to bring charges against an NYPD cop in the death of Eric Garner.
Since the shootings, supporters of the police have emerged en masse.
Along Myrtle Avenue, joining the cops were residents of Glendale who came together to also show their support for the NYPD. The day before the wake, local residents tied blue ribbons to trees, utility poles and fences around the neighborhood.
“The sea of blue ribbons made my heart sing,” wrote one person on the Glendale Civic Association’s Facebook page.
Furthermore, the community hung a banner on Myrtle that read, “The Glendale Community Supports the 84 Precinct, the NYPD, and all Law Enforcement Officers. PO RAFAEL L. RAMOS PO WENJIAN LIU.”
“The tens of thousands of police officers who came to our district in Glendale to mourn hero NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos was overwhelming,” said U.S. Rep Grace Meng. “This giant sea of blue in our community will never be forgotten nor will Officer Ramos and his family. They will remain in our hearts and prayers forever.”
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