Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch made an impassioned plea for the public to “send a message” and turn out for the funeral of fallen rookie NYPD Officer Jason Rivera.
Rivera, 22, was killed Friday and his partner, Wilbert Mora, 27, gravely injured when they were gunned down inside a Harlem apartment, allegedly by Lashawn McNeil — whose mom had called police for help after arguing with her son.
Rivera, a married father of one, joined the force in 2020, hoping to improve the department’s connections with the community. Mora joined the force in 2018.
Lynch called the cops heroes as he begged for the public’s support.
“Please join us to mourn Police Officer Jason Rivera as if he was your own flesh and blood. And please pray hard for our injured brother, because he is your brother, too,” Lynch implored.
“They walked these city streets beside you. They shared the same dreams and the same worries that you have,” he added.
It’s a request Lynch first made Friday night during a news conference on the shooting at Harlem Hospital.
“It can’t be just us,” he implored. “The streets can’t just be full of New York City police officers at this funeral. The public has to come. The public has to send a message to anyone that dares to harm a New York City police officer. Not here, not now, not today, not to us. We are humbly asking you to come out and help us.”
New Yorkers can do their part. The Silver Shield Foundation helps children of police officers and firefighters/EMS killed in the line of duty with the cost of their education. Donations can be made to: Silver Shield Foundation, 870 United Nations Plaza, 1st Floor, New York, NY, 10017.
Mayor Eric Adams on Saturday ordered flags lowered at all city buildings to honor the fallen Rivera.
Additional reporting by Joe Marino
