Mourners Gather At Wake For Slain New York Police Officer

A wake was held Friday for Officer Rafael Ramos, one of two New York City officers shot to death in their squad car last week.

Updated – Friday, Dec. 26 at 10:29 p.m. ET

Family, friends, and fellow officers gathered to honor New York Police Officer Rafael Ramos, 40, who was killed while on duty last Saturday.

John Minchillo/Associated Press

The casket of New York Police Department Officer Rafael Ramos arrives to his wake at Christ Tabernacle Church, in the Glendale section of Queens, where he was member. Ramos's wife Maritza and this two sons Justin and Jayden were among those at the viewing ceremony.

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Jaden Ramos, the son of Officer Ramos, arrives at the wake.

Adam Janos @AdamTJanos

"Dad, I will miss you with every fiber of my being." - Justin Ramos, speaking at officer Rafael Ramos's wake

12:37 AM - 27 Dec 2014

Mike Segar / Reuters

Officers line up to attend Ramos's wake.

Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu were shot by Ismaaiyl Brinsley as the two officers sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn.

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Members of the police department honor guard carried Ramos's casket into the church. Police officials said on Friday the two officers would be posthumously promoted to detectives, the New York Times reported. The courtesy promotion often provides families of fallen officers with more benefits.

Mike Segar / Reuters

Officers and other mourners line up though a gas station to attend the wake.

A memorial service was held after the wake. Mayor Bill de Blasio arrived at the wake after 9:00 p.m., although it was scheduled to end by then. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday, where Vice President Joe Biden will speak.

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Police officers salute as Ramos's casket of Ramos arrives for his wake at Christ Tabernacle Church.

Shimon Prokupecz @ShimonPro

Dozens of cops outside the church watching the jumbotron airing memorial service for officer Ramos now unde...

12:12 AM - 27 Dec 2014

The shootings escalated tensions over police-community relations in New York and around the nation.

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New York City police officers line up outside the church.

Police snipers monitored the wake from a nearby roof

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

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Mourners stand at a barricade near Christ Tabernacle Church.

AP Photo/John Minchillo

New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton and wife Rikki Klieman depart from the wake.

A statement on the church's website described Ramos as "humble man and was willing to help at any capacity; helping people to their seats, moms with their baby carriages or the elderly in and out of our elevator."

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Police officers stand guard at a side door at the church.

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance arrives at the wake.

AP Photo/John Minchillo

Patrolmen's Benevolent Association president Patrick Lynch outside the wake.

A service for Liu has been delayed until family members can travel from China.

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Police officers walk past a fence covered in blue ribbons in tribute to the slain officers.

AP Photo/Staten Island Advance, Anthony DePrimo

Liu's wife, Pei Xia Chen, and his mother, Xiu Yan Li, left, at the Tunnels to Towers Foundation headquarters on Friday, after officials announced they will raise money to pay off the home mortgages for the widows of Liu and NYPD officer Ramos.

AP

Pei Xia Chen