Thousands expected at funeral for fallen NYPD officer
NEW YORK -- Thousands of police officers will gather in Queens, New York today for the funeral of New York City Police Officer Rafael Ramos. He was ambushed along with his partner one week ago. Today he will be laid to rest, with the nation's Vice President attending.
Last night, an emotional wake was held, where the fallen officer's son spoke about his father, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Albert from the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens.
The crisp salutes conveyed the grief of the city. Police mourned one of their own Friday, as thousands joined them at the wake for officer Rafael Ramos. The flag draped the casket, as emotion covered the many faces looking on.
Captain Sergio Centa was Ramos' commanding officer.
"Nobody deserves to die the way he did, police officer or civilian," Centa said. "Especially not a police officer. Not the way it happened."
Evin Restos, a sheriff's deputy from Georgia who knows the Ramos family, traveled 13 hours on Christmas day to be there.
"So it is personal, but as a law enforcement I think there's a bond between brothers in blue that we stick together," Restos said. "Hopefully out of all of this, there will be healing."
Today's funeral will take place even as many officers worry whether they'll be targeted next.
A man who had posted threats against police online ambushed Ramos and his partner, Wenjain Liu, last Saturday before killing himself.
Since then, the NYPD has investigated 40 threats against police, and arrested seven people.
"I don't care how you look at it; we need police," said 53-year-old Calvin Hunt
Hunt has gone to several protests for Michael Brown and Eric Garner, but on Friday, he brought his two kids to Officer Ramos' wake to show his family's support for a grieving police force.
"When this happens this is a two sided affair," Hunt said. "All those organizations that say they are for justice. They should be out here right now."
Ramos' funeral is at 10 a.m. E.T.
Vice president Biden and tens of thousands of officers from around the country will be there. Funeral plans for officer Lui are still pending