New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton asked officers not to protest during services for slain officer Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn, ahead of the Saturday wake and Sunday funeral for Liu.
“A hero’s funeral is about grieving, not grievance,” Bratton wrote, in a department-wide memo. Liu and officer Rafael Ramos were shot and killed last month by Ismaaiyl Brinsley while sitting in a patrol car in the borough.
The police chief’s statement is a response to the footage of hundreds of officers who turned their backs at televisions broadcasting Mayor Bill de Blasio’s eulogy at the funeral for Ramos last week.
In contrast, when de Blasio and Bratton arrived at Liu’s wake Saturday at 1 p.m., the New York Timesreports, a group of officers saluted both the mayor and the commissioner. De Blasio will also deliver a eulogy at Liu’s funeral Sunday.
See Thousands of People Gather for Slain NYPD Officer's Funeral
Widow Pei Xia Chen holds a photo of slain New York Police Department officer Wenjian Liu as his casket departs his funeral in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Peter Foley—EPAA policeman stands next to an image of slain New York Police Department officer Wenjian Liu during his funeral in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Carlo Allegri—ReutersLaw enforcement officers stand with some turning their backs as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks on a monitor outside the funeral for NYPD officer Wenjian Liu in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—ReutersOfficers carry the casket of Police Officer Wenjian Liu from a funeral service at on Jan. 4, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York.Eric Thayer—Getty ImagesLaw enforcement officers salute Officer Wenjian Liu as his hearse drives down 65th street in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015.An Rong XuLocals look on as Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home on Jan. 4, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York.John Minchillo—APA limo for family members is seen following the funeral of slain New York Police Department officer Wenjian Liu's in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Carlo Allegri—ReutersPolice officers from across the country gather for the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home on Jan. 4, 2015, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. John Minchillo—APLaw enforcement officers stand with some turning their backs as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks on a monitor outside the funeral for NYPD officer Wenjian Liu in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—ReutersLocals stand in a doorway as police officers arrive for the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home, Jan. 4, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. John Minchillo—APA spectator looks out onto officers during the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home on Jan. 4, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. John Minchillo—APThe hearse carrying NYPD officer Wenjian Liu makes its way under a US flag en route to the cemetery in the Brooklyn borough of New York on Jan. 4, 2015. Shannon Stapleton—ReutersPolice officers wipe their tears during the funeral of New York Police Department Officer Wenjian Liu at Aievoli Funeral Home Jan. 4, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York. John Minchillo—APPolice helicopters do a fly over at the conclusion of the funeral service for slain New York City Police Officer Wenjian Liu on Jan. 4, 2015 in New York.Spencer Platt—Getty Images
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also attended Saturday’s wake and said it was time to “move to a phase of healing in this city.”
Police groups have said the gesture at Ramos’ service was a expression of some cops’ frustration with “anti-police atmosphere” they claim the mayor has promoted. Tensions between the mayor and the NYPD have grown in the wake of the Eric Garner grand jury decision.
Bratton’s memo also said, “I remind you that when you don the uniform of this department, you are bound by the tradition, honor and decency that go with it.”
FBI Director James Comey is expected to attend the funeral Sunday, and police officers nationwide are being flown in as well.
