Tensions between the New York Police Department and Mayor Bill de Blasio persisted on Saturday at the funeral of Rafael Ramos, one of the two NYPD officers killed in a shooting last week.
Thousands of police officers from across the United States descended on Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens, New York, for the funeral, which celebrated Ramos' life. U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton spoke at the service, as many officers stood vigil outside the church.
[seealso slug=http://sale-online.click/2014/12/17/best-photos-of-2014/%5D%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3EDuring the service, Bratton named Ramos as the honorary department chaplain for the NYPD's 84th precinct; Ramos had been studying to be a chaplain before his death. Bratton also awarded Ramos and Wenjian Liu, the other officer killed last week, with posthumous promotions to Detective First Grade.
Scenes from the area around the funeral showed thousands of officers in dress uniform, many coming from other states.
It's a sea of blue here in Glendale, Queens, at #NYPD Ofcr. Rafael Ramos's funeral. VP #JoeBiden expected any minute. pic.twitter.com/LHUYKaKh6G— James Ford (@jamesfordtv) December 27, 2014
Thousands of police officers from around the world are in NYC to honor the life and service of Officers Liu & Ramos. pic.twitter.com/CLbVqtguBf— Fort Worth Police OA (@FWPOA) December 27, 2014
Ramos and Liu died after an "assassination-style" attack by 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, who had posted on social media about his intention to kill police officers in retaliation for the deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
The killing of the two officers occurred following weeks-long, nationwide protests against police brutality, particularly in the case of Eric Garner, who died after being put in a chokehold by NYPD officers.
Support for the demonstrators, particularly from de Blasio, prompted police representatives to point fingers over the deaths of Ramos and Liu. Patrick Lynch, head of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, took a particularly strong stance, saying de Blasio and others who had been critical of the NYPD were at fault.
Those tensions were evident at Ramos's funeral. Some officers reportedly turned their backs on screens that showed de Blasio as he spoke, and one report said officers inside the church also turned their backs. It is the second time police have used this tactic, having turned their backs on de Blasio when he arrived at a Brooklyn hospital to pay his respects to the dead officers.
Before and during Bill De Blasio speaking at #rafaelramos funeral. Officers turn backs to screen airing speech. @cnn pic.twitter.com/6cma4M7bCK— Rosa Flores (@RosaFlores) December 27, 2014
Thousands more cops turn their backs on @deBlasioNYC as he eulogizes #NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos. pic.twitter.com/P8vA8bDNUP— James Ford (@jamesfordtv) December 27, 2014
As de Blasio walks into Officer Rafael Ramos' funeral, he's greeted with a "Dump de Blasio" sign pic.twitter.com/aS9AUzw4tW— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) December 27, 2014 As de Blasio walks into Officer Rafael Ramos' funeral, he's greeted with a "Dump de Blasio" sign pic.twitter.com/aS9AUzw4tW— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) December 27, 2014
Update December 27, 2014, 3:21 P.M. E.T.
A spokesperson for de Blasio released a short statement addressing the actions of some of the police officers.
Quote from @BilldeBlasio spox on police turning their backs on the mayor at funeral: pic.twitter.com/DQ6NYL1LLH— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) December 27, 2014