MOSCOW, December 27 (Sputnik) – US Vice President Joe Biden paid tribute to NYPD officer Rafael Ramos, his partner Wenjian Liu and their families at Ramos’s funeral.
"I speak for the whole nation when I say to you that our hearts ache for you," Biden said during a ceremony held at the Christ Tabernacle Church in the Glendale neighborhood of Queens. He added that Ramos "was the cop for all the right reasons." The Christ Tabernacle Church is live broadcasting the ceremony on its official YouTube channel.
"Our hearts are heavy today as we lay to rest one of our Finest, Police Officer Ramos. We will never forget," tweeted William J. Bratton, the NYPD commissioner.
Our hearts are heavy today as we lay to rest one of our Finest, Police Officer Ramos. We will never forget. pic.twitter.com/avKWp5BJtR
— Commissioner Bratton (@CommissBratton) 27 декабря 2014
Rafael Ramos is succeeded by wife Maritza and his two sons, Justin and Jayden.
"Justin and Jaden, you showed tremendous courage and character in the past few days. You are your father’s sons," Biden said, adding that "he will be part of your life the entirety of your life."
“When an assassin’s bullet targeted two officers, it targeted this city and it touched the soul of the entire nation… Police officers, police families are a different breed. Thank God for them,” Biden said.
On Friday, thousands gathered to pay their respects at the eight-hour wake held for Rafael Ramos. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Bill de Blasio, the current mayor of New York, and Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of the city, along with hundreds of uniformed officers took part in the event.
Ramos and Wenjian Liu were killed by Ismaaiyl Brinsley in Brooklyn while they were sitting in their patrol car. The gunman later committed suicide. Brinsley allegedly attacked them to avenge Michael Brown and Eric Garner, who were killed by white police officers. He had a history of mental instability, according to NYPD.
