Bay Ridge mourns slain officers, shows support for NYPD

On Friday, December 26 Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst residents gathered outside of Southwest Brooklyn’s 68th Precinct to mourn the murders of officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were shot at point-blank range in their marked NYPD car on Saturday, December 20.

The remembrance, organized by local activist Penney Santo, also showed support for the force as attendees applauded active officers on their way in and out of the precinct.

“That little boy is what this is all about,” Santo said, pointing to a young Michael Shvets who was dressed in blue and holding the hand of Precinct Captain Raymond Festino. “That’s the story.”

The boy’s mother was also at a loss for words.

“I know what it’s like to lose a family member,” she said. “[The vigil] is a very nice thing.”

The funeral for Ramos, a Sunset Park native, was held on Saturday, December 27 at Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens. The funeral for Liu, a Bensonhurst resident, is set for Sunday, January 4 at Aievoli Funeral home in Brooklyn (1275 65th Street). Additionally, there will be a viewing for Liu on Saturday, January 3 from 1 to 9 p.m. at the same location.

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