Thousands honor slain New York police officer at Manhattan funeral

Thousands of New York City police officers honor a fellow officer killed last week in the line of duty.

Officers dressed in their blue uniforms lined the streets of Manhattan on Friday as they attended the funeral of officer Jason Rivera, 22.

According to Reuters, Rivera was one of four New York City officers shot in the past week. Rivera happened to be responding to a domestic violence call when the incident took place. The funeral service took place at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan. 

Dominique Luzuriaga, Rivera’s widow, said, “I couldn’t believe you left me. Seeing you in a hospital bed wrapped in sheets, not hearing when I was talking to you, broke me. Although I gained thousands of blue brothers and sisters, I’m the loneliest without you.” 

Officer Wilbert Mora, 27, was also shot when Rivera, Mora and a rookie officer responded to a disturbance on Jan. 21st. A woman claimed she was having a fight with her son.

After arriving on the scene, Rivera and Mora were fired at by the adult son while they were in a hallway. The rookie shot the suspect, LaShawn McNeil. Rivera, Mora, and McNeil all died from their injuries.