More than 250 police officers from across the state of Connecticut boarded buses at Hartford Police Headquarters early this morning, headed for New York for the funeral of slain New York Police Department Officer Rafael Ramos. A line of motorcycles representing Hartford, East Hartford and UCONN police took off for New York. Shortly after, more police.
"Police officers were a brotherhood, so when one of us falls, a small part of us dies. So were going down there to show that we're a brotherhood," said Lt. Gerardo Pleasant of Hartford Police
A motorcycle brigade representing Hartford, East Hartford and UConn police left for New York City early Saturday morning, followed by more police on three buses.
More than 50 Bridgeport police officers traveled to New York City for the funeral.
“In every city and town, every new officer takes an oath when they put on the badge. Brave men and women sacrifice their lives fulfilling that obligation,” Bridgeport Police Chief Joseph L. Gaudett Jr. said in a statement. “Every time that happens, we will mourn with their families, we pray for their children and, as a community, we will honor them as heroes when they are laid to rest.”
Officers were dressed in full uniform, and wearing black bands over their badges to show a sign of respect for fallen officer Ramos.
"They were targeted because they were wearing blue, they were targeted because of what they do for a living," Windsor police Officer Russell Wininger. "It’s a show of support. We’ve had two officers that were murdered in the line of duty, and given the political climate that’s in our country right now; we feel the need to support our fellow officers."
Ramos and Wenjian Liu were ambushed last weekend and shot to death in their police cruiser in Brooklyn. Police say the shooter may have acted in retaliation for Eric Garner's death.
East Haven police also went to the funeral, posting on Facebook, "In NYC paying our respects to a fallen officer who has joined a list that is way too long."
North Haven, Greenwich and Fairfield officers also were in attendance.
Police officers heading to New York said that there is a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood in police work.
"Being a part of this is like being a part of a huge family, nationwide and worldwide. Brothers in blue." Officer Joel Otero of Hartford Police.
The officers will likely be making another trip to the city in the coming days once funeral arrangements for Officer Liu have been announced.
