City to co-name Brooklyn blocks after slain officers

New York City will move to name two Brooklyn streets in honor of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, officials announced on Wednesday, January 31.

Liu, a 32-year-old newlywed from Bensonhurst and Ramos, a 40-year-old Sunset Park native, husband and father-of-two, were shot at point-blank range in their marked NYPD car on Saturday, December 20.

“These courageous men were fathers, brothers and sons, and they were committed to the protection of every New Yorker who calls this city home,” said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “The street co-namings in honor of Detective Ramos and Detective Liu will stand as an ever-present testament to their legacy and memory, and will remind us all of the daily sacrifice of our brave men, women and families of the New York City Police Department to keep our city safe.”

The co-namings will be sponsored by Councilmembers Mark Treyger and Rafael Espinal, who represent the two detectives’ districts.

“This is a tribute to the tremendous sacrifice that our police officers make to keep New York City safe for all residents,” said Treyger, chair of the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee. “This street co-naming will ensure that the memory of Detectives Liu and Ramos lives on in our city.”

According to officials, the legislation will move that Ridgewood Avenue, between Shepherd Avenue and Highland Place be co-named, “Detective Rafael Ramos Way,” and West Sixth Street, between Avenue S and Avenue T, be co-named “Detective Wenjian Liu Way.”

The blocks are the sites of the detectives’ respective homes, and were selected in consultation with their families.

“Detective Rafael Ramos was a friend, a neighbor and a role model to the residents of the Cypress Hills Community,” said Espinal, proud to introduce the bill. “The risk and sacrifice that all law enforcement officers face in order to maintain public safety is something that New Yorkers cannot and do not take for granted. This act is a small expression of appreciation of his life and his service to the city he loved and fought every day to make safer. His legacy will never be forgotten.”

The bill will be introduced and voted on at the City Council’s second stated meeting in January.