Jason Rivera’s widow says ‘system’ failing police in fiery eulogy as thousands of officers block NYC streets
The widow of slain NYPD officer Jason Rivera has slammed Manhattan’s new district attorney in a blistering eulogy.
“I know you were tired of these laws,” Dominique Luzuriaga said at the massive funeral, addressing her departed husband. “Especially the ones from the new DA — I hope he’s watching you speak through me right now.”
On Friday morning, thousands of police flooded Manhattan’s snowy streets to mourn Mr Rivera, a rookie NYPD officer who was killed in the line of duty last week. Mr Rivera was little more than a year into his job, and only three months into his marriage.
“I couldn’t believe you left me,” Ms Luzuriaga said through tears in her heart-wrenching eulogy. “Although I gained thousands of blue brothers and sisters, I’m the loneliest without you.”
The sea of blue stretched from St Patrick’s Cathedral out onto Fifth Avenue, where the enormous crowd stretched down several blocks. Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, and other prominent figures all paid their respects.
“Today we salute police officer Jason Rivera for the last time,” Mr Adams said. “His journey by our side has ended. He takes another path.”
Mr Rivera, 22, was fatally wounded on 21 January along with his partner, Officer Wilbert Mora, 27. The two were responding to a call of a domestic incident at an apartment in Harlem when a man ambushed and shot them. A third officer shot the gunman, who police have since identified as Lashawn McNeil, 47.
Mr Rivera died later that night. Mr Mora succumbed to his injuries four days later. Mr McNeil died on Monday.
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