• U.S.

NYPD Chief Calls for Respect at Slain Officer’s Wake and Funeral

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Updated: | Originally published: ;

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 Times reports, 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

Funeral for New York City Police Officer Officer Wenjian Liu
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—EPA
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
A 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—Reuters
Law 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
Law 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—Reuters
Funeral Held For Second Police Officer Killed In Brooklyn
Officers 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 Images
Law enforcement officers salute Officer Wenjian Liu, as his hearse drives down 65th street in Brooklyn, New York. Jan. 4, 2015Photograph by An Rong Xu
Law 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 Xu
Locals 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.
Locals 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—AP
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
A 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—Reuters
Police 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.
Police 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—AP
Law 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
Law 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—Reuters
NYPD Officers Shot
Locals 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—AP
A 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.
A 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—AP
The 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
The 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—Reuters
Police 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.
Police 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—AP
Funeral Held For Second Police Officer Killed In Brooklyn
Police 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.

[NYT]

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Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com