Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers pour into the funeral for slain New York City police officer Wenjian Liu.
32-year-old Liu and his partner, 40-year-old Rafael Ramos, were shot dead last month in an ambush attack.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton were among the mourners.
“Thank you to all who have gathered here to remember this good man and support this good family,” said de Blasio. “All of our city is heartbroken today.”
“He called himself Joe. For awhile, he was on the path to becoming an accountant, but 9/11 changed those plans,” said Bratton.
Bratton says Liu, who emigrated from China at age 12, “saw the possibility of helping others” on that tragic day.
Lui’s widow professes her love for the man she was married to for only two months.
“Wenjian will always live in our hearts, my heart.” said Pei Xia Chen. “We loved you, I loved you, forever will love you.”
Tonight, we'll light in blue w/ a siren mast to salute fallen Officers Rafael Ramos & Wenjian Liu & honor @NYPDnews. pic.twitter.com/v3KQHI6awA
— Empire State Bldg (@EmpireStateBldg) January 4, 2015
The murder of Liu and Ramos has triggered a backlash in support of law enforcement following months of nationwide demonstrations over the use of force by police against black men.