Cops turn backs on Mayor de Blasio during eulogy for NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu
The silent protest flouted an order from Police Commissioner Bill Bratton not to bring politics into the funeral. Buddhist monks led a Chinese ceremony for Officer Liu, followed by a traditional police ceremony with eulogies led by a chaplain. The funeral follows a somber wake the day before as mourners lined up for blocks on a cold, rainy day to pay their respects.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Sunday, January 4, 2015, 9:11 AM
Updated: Sunday, January 4, 2015, 5:45 PM
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Hundreds of cops turned their backs yet again on Mayor de Blasio Sunday as he delivered a eulogy for a fallen officer, flouting a request from Police Commissioner Bill Bratton.
As de Blasio praised the life of Officer Wenjian Liu, 32, many officers in uniform outside of Aievoli Funeral Home in southern Brooklyn turned away from a large video feed of his remarks.
It appeared the vast majority participating in the silent protest wore NYPD uniforms.
"All of our city is heartbroken today," de Blasio said just after 11 a.m., his words falling on scores of deaf ears.
"Let us rededicate ourselves to those great New York traditions of mutual understanding and living in harmony. Let us move forward by strengthening the bonds that unite us, and let us work together to attain peace."
The move amounted to a stunning act of insubordination and cops were reluctant to speak to reporters about the move after the funeral procession departed for Cypress Hills Cemetery.
Mayor de Blasio “doesn’t have our backs. More of us should have done it,” one cop said, without giving his name.
A retired NYPD officer, who would only give his name as Nick, 58, also denounced de Blasio.
“The mayor is not on our side. This is like the 70s, when cops were getting killed. We are going backwards,” he said.
But there were signs of divisions emerging within the ranks of the NYPD over such an overtly political act on a day of mourning.
One high-ranking police source said that he got grief from fellow officers for not turning his back during de Blasio’s eulogy.
Asked why he didn’t join, the source replied, “Cause I was here for Liu and his family – not the mayor. I don't like the mayor or what he stands for, but I agree with Bratton that it's not the place."
On Friday the city’s top cop sent a message to all officers under his command, asking they keep politics out of the funeral.
“A hero’s funeral is about grieving, not grievance,” Bratton said.
De Blasio spokesman Phil Walzak did not directly address questions regarding the latest blatant show of disrespect.
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“Today we honor the legacies of Detectives Liu and Ramos, and remember their dedication to serving the people of New York City. Our city and this administration is focused on doing everything possible to support the grieving families of our fallen heroes,” Walzak said.
Speaking at the funeral, Bratton lauded Liu’s commitment to his job and said he was part of a long tradition of immigrants seeking out the American Dream with the NYPD.
“Officer Wenjian Liu believed in the possibility of making a safer world. All cops do,” he said.
“Cops are from everywhere. The NYPD looks a lot more like the city it serves than some people think.”
FBI Director James Comey attended the funeral, and noted that 115 cops were killed in the U.S. last year, calling it a "shocking increase."
"These are difficult days, days when we struggle to find meaning in tragedy," he said. “(Liu) was a person of great thoughtfulness and tremendous care ... our obligation is to make sure something good comes out of tragedy, so evil is not allowed to fold the field.”
Mourners from across the country stood in the drizzling rain outside the funeral home.
A sea of blue uniforms stretched for blocks in respect with Liu, who was assassinated along with his partner, Rafael Ramos, in a patrol car two weeks ago.
"We are here in solidarity. It affects all of us," said Detective Bill Perillo. "I saw officers from LA, Florida, coast to coast.”
Liu was a seven-year police veteran and was married just three months when he was killed with his partner on Dec. 20. Ramos’ funeral was held a week ago. At that ceremony thousands of police turned their backs on de Blasio.
“His spirit will continue to look after us,” his widow, Pei Xia Chen said through tears.
“Wenjian is my hero.”
Liu’s father praised his only son.
"When I was sick, he took me to the doctor ... he called me every day when he finished work,” Wei Tang Liu said in an emotional speech translated from Chinese.
“Wenjian, you are the best son.”
Liu’s funeral was delayed to enable relatives from China to travel to New York.
"It's hard on all of us,” said Sgt. Debbie Tombol as she stood outside the funeral home Sunday. “We all came to mourn together."
The traditional police ceremony featured many references to the teachings of Buddha.
His casket was loaded into a hearse just after 1 p.m. as “America The Beautiful” echoed across the quiet blocks of Dyker Heights. A police officer presented the American flag to Liu’s weeping widow and saluted her. She acknowledged the gesture with a bow.
An unhinged assassin, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, ambushed Liu and Ramos and then fatally shot himself.
Authorities said Brinsley was an emotionally disturbed drifter who had posted online about the killings this summer of unarmed black men at the hands of white cops, promising to “put wings on pigs.”
When de Blasio arrived at Woodhull Hospital to meet with families of the slain officers, cops first turned their backs on him. Just last week he de Blasio was booed during an NYPD graduation ceremony at Madison Square Garden.
Patrolmen's Benevolent Association head Pat Lynch said after the horrific attack that the mayor had “blood on the hands” because he had failed to denounce demonstrators protesting police brutality.
Many rank and file cops are furious that de Blasio coached his biracial son to be careful when dealing with the NYPD. They also took exception to his decision to stand by Rachel Noerdlinger, the former chief of staff for First Lady Chirlane McCray, despite anti-cop comments by Noerdlinger’s son and boyfriend.
