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Photos: Funeral For Slain NYPD Officer Brian Moore Draws Thousands
By
Emma Whitford
Published May 8, 2015
Modified May 8, 2015
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By
Emma Whitford
Published May 8, 2015
Modified May 8, 2015
Share
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Thousands of officers in uniform flooded St. James Roman Catholic Church in Seaford, New York this morning, for the funeral of 25-year-old Officer Brian Moore. Moore died on Monday, two days after he was shot in the cheek during a plainclothes patrol in Queens Village.
The NYPD Emerald Society drummed as the hearse bearing Moore's body approached St. James, the Post reports. The sea of officers, many of whom lined up along adjacent Hicksville Road, gave him a silent, white-gloved solute.
Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as the honor guard carried Moore's coffin inside the church. His parents, Raymond and Irene, and sister Christine stood by, as did Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and First Lady Chirlane McCray. The family of Officer Wenjian Liu, who was fatally shot on the job in December, was also in attendance.
In his remarks, Police Commissioner Bratton said, "It’s not many of us who can say we lived out a dream. But Brian could. He dreamed of being a cop. He dreamed of following his dad, whom he loved so much." Bratton also spoke to Moore's disposition. "The only picture I’ve seen of Brian where he wasn't smiling, was his official Department photo," he said. "But behind the infectious smile, behind the jokester, behind the love of cars and the Orioles, there was a cop’s cop."
Bratton was also sure to put Moore's death in context, adding, "Once more we find ourselves together in mourning. It is too soon since the last time."
Mayor de Blasio said, "Brian Moore represented the best of New York City. He was brave, for sure. But his bravery was matched by his compassion.... And regardless of seniority, all saw him as a friend. Even at the age of 25, others flocked to him, seeking advice and guidance." Unlike previous NYPD funerals in the past year, there were no reports of officers turning their backs on the mayor.
During the ceremony, Bratton tearfully promoted Moore to detective first grade, to a round of applause. NYPD deputy chief chaplain Rev. Robert Romano said bluntly, "'Time heals all wounds’ — please never believe that. As we say in Brooklyn, it ain’t true.”
Afterwards, Moore's casket was carried back to the hearse. The flag draped across the casket was folded, and presented to Moore's family.
Moore and his partner, Sergeant Erik Jansen, were working in plainclothes last Saturday evening, in an unmarked police cruiser in Queens Village, when they noticed Demetrius Blackwell "adjusting his waistband." Moore asked Blackwell if he had something in his waistband, and Blackwell allegedly responded, "Yeah, I got something," took the gun out and fired at the officers, hitting Moore.
Moore went into emergency surgery, and was placed in a medically-induced coma. His family decided to take him off of life support on Monday.
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