Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
Mayor de Blasio, flanked by First Lady Chirlane McCray and Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and greeting Archbishop Timothy Dolan, attends Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral the morning after the execution-style killing of two police officers.
Mayor Bill de Blasio
“Our city is in mourning. Our hearts are heavy. We lost two good men who devoted their lives to protecting all of us. Officer Ramos, Officer Liu died in the line of duty, protecting the city they loved. Our hearts go out to their families, to their comrades in arms at the 84 Precinct, to the larger family of the NYPD. We honor the EMTs, the doctors, the nurses, everyone at Woodhull who tried valiantly to save their lives and couldn’t. I want to thank everyone who came here today to support these families that are in such pain right now. All the leadership of the NYPD, the elected officials who are here – I thank them for coming here in solidarity with these grieving families and our police department. Although we are still learning the details, it’s clear that this was an assassination – that these officers were shot, execution-style – particularly despicable act, which goes at the very heart of our society and our democracy. When a police officer is murdered, it tears at the foundation of our society. It is an attack on all of us. It’s an attack on everything we hold dear. We depend on our police to protect us against forces of criminality and evil. They are a foundation of our society, and when they are attacked, it is an attack on the very concept of decency. Therefore, every New Yorker should feel they, too, were attacked. Our entire city was attacked by this heinous individual.”
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton
“Today, two of New York’s Finest were shot and killed, with no warning, no provocation. They were, quite simply, assassinated – targeted for their uniform, and for the responsibility they embraced to keep the people of this city safe. …
“On behalf of the New York City Police Department, I extend my deepest condolences to the Liu and the Ramos families, and the families within the NYPD. Both officers paid the ultimate sacrifice today while protecting the communities they serve. The suspect was transported to Brooklyn Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. …
“Seven times since 1972, we have seen partners murdered together, often in incidents such as this – mindless assassinations without warning. Our officers know this, from memorial walls on our precincts and headquarters, and from the stories they hand down. Nevertheless, they do what we expect of them. They grieve, they mourn, but then they go out on the streets of this city and work to keep it safe, every day and every night. We have never, and never will, forget that mission. We will never forget the two young men who lost their lives today.”
Comptroller Scott Stringer
“No words can describe the unspeakable tragedy that occurred today. The execution of New York Police Department Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos was a despicable act and a stark reminder of the risk that our City’s law enforcement take on our behalf each and every day. It is with a heavy heart that I extend my thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy to the families of Officers Liu and Ramos. The events of the past weeks and months have made it clear that we must come together as one city. We must stand united against this and all acts of violence.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
“Tonight, the thoughts and prayers of all New Yorkers are with the family and friends of New York City police officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were assassinated in the line of duty. This deplorable act of violence is the opposite of what New York is and what New Yorkers believe in. These brave officers, along with the over 34,000 other uniformed men and women of the New York Police Department, put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. They run toward danger when all of our instincts tell us to run away. Tonight, we all come together to mourn the loss of these brave souls.”
Speaker Sheldon Silver
“I am deeply saddened by the brutal murder of two New York City police officers this afternoon. This is a cowardly act of violence that is breathtaking in its senselessness. The brave men and women of the NYPD put their lives on the line every day in service to our community and today two heroes made the ultimate sacrifice. This is an unimaginable tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with their families during this terrible time.”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams
“As a 22-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, a Brooklynite and, most importantly, as a human being that believes in decency, I am horrified and angered over today’s senseless shootings in Bedford-Stuyvesant which have resulted in the tragic death of two of New York’s Finest. I hope that every single person, regardless of their background or ideology, will join me in praying for the families of these fallen heroes, as well as for their brothers and sisters in policing who protect this city tonight with tremendous sorrow in their hearts. No task is more sacred than ensuring the public safety of our communities, and we must continue to support those men and women that are putting their lives at risk to look after our own.”
Assemblyman Luis R. Sepulveda
“Our city stands in mourning for these two men, heroes, sworn to protect it. Sources throughout my district have recognized these men as officers having previously served the 43rd Precinct, which has in turn served its citizens loyally for many years. My community and I send our prayers and condolences to the families of these great men.”
Council Member Andy King
“I am disturbed and appalled that anyone thinks that this is the behavior that has been called for by our demonstrations for justice. Today tragedy exemplifies a total violation of the same trust that we’ve been asking for from law enforcement. I do not condone this behavior and I do not condone this behavior. The men and women of the NYPD deserve the utmost respect for their energies and efforts in serving and protecting all of New York.”
Public Advocate Letitia James
“My deepest thoughts and prayers are with the families of the police officers killed in the line of duty today. Every day, New York City Police Officers put themselves in harm’s way to protect us. Today, the entire city mourns with the NYPD. We will never forget the sacrifice these brave officers made to keep our city safe, and we honor the service of New York’s Finest.”
Ferguson Action Coalition
“We are shocked and saddened by the news of two NYPD officers killed today in Brooklyn. We mourned with the families of Eric Garner and Mike Brown who experienced unspeakable loss, and similarly our hearts go out to the families of these officers who are now experiencing that same grief. They deserve all of our prayers.
“Unfortunately, there have been attempts to draw misleading connections between this movement and today’s tragic events. Millions have stood together in acts of non-violent civil disobedience, one of the cornerstones of our democracy. It is irresponsible to draw connections between this movement and the actions of a troubled man who took the lives of these officers and attempted to take the life of his ex-partner, before ultimately taking his own. Today’s events are a tragedy in their own right. To conflate them with the brave activism of millions of people across the country is nothing short of cheap political punditry.”
Assemblyman Michael Blake
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Officers Wenjin Liu and Raphael Ramos who were killed this afternoon. There are no adequate words to provide comfort to their families as these officers were trying to honorably protect and serve the people of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Additionally, it is an absolute dishonor to the names of Eric Garner and Michael Brown that someone would try to use their unjust deaths as a cause to kill two innocent people. This is a moment for us to focus on the families and then motivate us again to strengthen gun laws and community and police relations as this unbearable sense of pain must end.”
Councilmember Ritchie Torres
“I am horrified, as all decent New Yorkers should be, by the recent murder of two police officers in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Any one who shoots a NYC police officer, much less executes one in cold blood, should be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Jackie Rowe-Adams, Director of Harlem Mothers Save
“We need to follow how the shooter obtained the gun used and concentrate on stopping the flow of illegal guns into our cities that are used in killing our young people and police officers.”
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of two of New York’s Finest who were slain while protecting and serving our great City. The cold-blooded killing of two police officers in Brooklyn is an unthinkable tragedy. It is a painful shock to the conscience of the entire community. This situation is intolerable, and anyone else found responsible should be shown no mercy by the criminal justice system.”
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez
“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of Officers Ramos and Liu. In an era of heightened strain between the police and our communities we cannot allow our frustrations to harden our hearts. These types of actions are despicable and cannot be tolerated. New Yorkers must unite to move our city forward under the leadership of our Mayor.”
Councilmember Jumaane Williams
“Tonight, the only thing that should be done is to offer prayers for peace, comfort, healing and support to the families of NYPD Officers Liu and Ramos, who are dealing with unimaginable grief. Two human beings who wore a uniform and took an oath to protect– one a newlywed and one a father and husband– are dead. As we celebrate this holiday season, both families will be mourning this outrageous tragedy. It pains me to hear the officers were executed in the most cowardly fashion imaginable, apparently by someone from out-of-town.
“No one of good conscience could encourage or tolerate horrors such as what has occurred today. Tomorrow, as the investigation continues and no matter where the facts lead, the memories of this tragedy must serve as an additional guide to any discourse that may soon come.”
The NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund & The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law
“Today’s fatal shooting of two police officers in New York is shocking and tragic. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund & The Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights under Law extend their condolences to the families and colleagues of both officers and we stand with the residents of New York City in mourning this senseless loss of life. …
“While some may suggest a causal link between these killings and the recent protests and activism focused on the serious issue of police violence against unarmed African American, we caution against escalating an already tense national state through rumor and conjecture. Whatever motivation lay in the apparently troubled mind of the now deceased shooter of these officers, there is no connection between the “peaceful” protests of thousands of people of all races all over the country and, indeed around the world, and this hideous act of violence.”
#BlackLivesMatter
“Our hearts grieve with New York, a community already reeling from the losses of Eric Garner, Ramarley Graham, Kimani Gray, Akai Gurley, Islan Nettles and many more. An eye for an eye is not our vision of justice, and we who have taken to the streets seeking justice and liberation know that we need deep transformation to correct the larger institutional problems of racial profiling, abuse, and violence. …
“We know all too well the pain and the trauma that follows the senseless loss of our family members and loved ones. We extend our hearts and prayers to the families of those who lost their loved ones this week. No one should suffer the loss of those whom they love.”
Make the Road New York lead organizer Jose Lopez
“Today we express our condolences to the families of NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were killed yesterday in Brooklyn. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the family of the young woman who was shot in Baltimore by the same man. We know the grief of loss all too well. We often find ourselves mourning the loss of family members, neighbors, and loved ones to violence — whether at the hands of the police or violence within our communities. This grief grounds us in the ongoing work to ensure safety, dignity, and respect for all in our communities.
“All attempts made to link the tragic death of these two officers to the local or national movement — which has called for a justice system that works for all — is dangerous and misguided. This is a time when we must all stand together against senseless violence.”
Rep. Nydia Velazquez
“This act of violence against these officers has no place in our community. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these fallen officers.”
ColorOfChange
“Our community knows all too well the grief and heartache associated with losing a loved one to violence. Today is another tragic reminder that we have an enormous amount of work to do to keep our communities safe. We condemn any and all forms of violence, including violence perpetrated by and against police officers.
“ColorOfChange will continue to support peaceful protesters fighting for a higher standard of policing in cities across the country. The deaths of these officers in the line of duty should not result in retaliation or more militarized, violent attempts by law enforcement to suppress protests or target civilians. We caution the efforts by police unions and others to draw misleading connections with this tragedy to the growing nationwide movement to hold officers accountable.”
