Tens of thousands of police officers from across the country and Canada gathered in solidarity and sadness on Long Island Friday to mourn the loss of their brother in blue, Officer Brian Moore, who was killed in the line of duty in Queens last week.
The funeral was held at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Seaford, Long Island, where Moore’s family, friends, fellow officers and community joined together inside and outside of the church to give one final farewell to the fallen cop.
Moore, 25, of the 105th Precinct, joined the police force almost five years ago, following in the footsteps of his father, Raymond, his uncle and cousins, who all served in the NYPD.
“Brian had a vocation to be a peacemaker, to be a cop and to be a hero,” Monsignor Robert Romano said of Moore during his homily. “Brian was a team player…he was an American hero.”
Romano told those in attendance that their memories of Moore will keep him alive.
“All who knew him and loved him have a special bond with him,” Romano said. “We will never forget our fallen brothers and sisters. We will never forget Brian.”
Mayor Bill de Blasio gave his condolences to the Moore family during the Mass.
“We are all gathered in one purpose, to mourn the loss of a great man, a young man, a very great man, Officer Brian Moore,” he said. “Brian Moore represented the best of New York City. He was brave for sure, but his bravery was matched by his compassion.”
“He devoted his whole being to the job,” the mayor continued. “He was respected by his elders and he was looked up to by junior officers. Even at the age of 25, others flocked to him seeking advice and guidance.”
During his short time on the force, Moore made more than 150 arrests and earned several service medals.
Police Commissioner William Bratton then took the podium to honor Moore’s memory.
“It’s not many of us who can say we lived out a dream. But Brian could. He dreamed of being a cop,” Bratton said. “He had an eye for the street…not even five years on, but he was already in anti-crime, already decorated…we need more like him.”
Just before 1 p.m. Bratton posthumously promoted Moore.
“And so, with great honor — and great sadness — I posthumously promote Brian Moore, shield 469, to Detective First Grade,” Bratton announced.
Moore was given shield number 9002, following shield numbers 9000 and 9001, given to Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were killed in the line of duty last December.
After the Mass, the official NYPD flag that was draped over Moore’s coffin was ceremoniously folded and handed to his parents.
Moore, who was from Massapequa, will be buried at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.
The young cop was patrolling the streets of Queens Village in an unmarked police cruiser with his partner, P.O. Erik Jansen, on May 2 when he was shot by Demetrius Blackwell at the corner of 212th Street and 104th Road. Moore was rushed to Jamaica Hospital where he fought for his life, but succumbed to his injuries on May 4.
Blackwell, 35, who has since been arrested, has a previous criminal record, including arrests for robbery and weapons possession. He also served several years in prison for a second-degree attempted murder conviction. Upon Moore’s death, Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown upgraded the charge to first-degree murder. If convicted, Blackwell faces 25 years to life behind bars.
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