Thousands are expected to attend the funeral of Rafael Ramos, the NYPD officer who was killed while sitting in his police car in Brooklyn last Saturday. Fellow officer Wenjian Liu was also killed by Ismaayil Brinsley, who took his own life after the murders.
According to CNN, over 25,000 police officers are anticipated to attend the service at Queens' Christ Tabernacle Church this morning. CNN adds that the 40-year-old father of two was a 14-year member of the congregation. Rev. Rafael Castillo expressed his grief over Ramos' death:
He was a man of great faith, and his faith informed his worldview, not just as a police officer, but as a husband and as a father, Castillo said. And as I've been saying, we are going to miss him a great deal.
The Associated Press adds that NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton and Vice President Joe Biden are expected to speak at the service. Thousands also attended Ramos' wake, which was held at Christ Tabernacle Church yesterday.
[via CNN, Daily Intelligencer and Associated Press]
