NEW YORK CITY – Rookie NYPD Officer Jason Rivera, a 22-year-old who was killed when he responded to a domestic disturbance, was laid to rest on Friday. Rivera died on January 21. His partner, Wilbert Mora, succumbed to his wounds on Tuesday.
Thousands of law enforcement officers from across the country converged upon St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Friday for the Rivera funeral. Fifth Avenue was the site of thousands of cops standing side-by-side to pay their respects. Among those gathered were several representatives of Hudson Valley police departments.
Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison, a retired Town of Poughkeepsie Police detective, joined with his son Christopher, a sergeant with the New Castle Police Department, to honor their fallen brother. When asked if he worries about his son being in a dangerous job the mayor said “Standing next to him (Christopher) I feel so proud of his accomplishments and that he is a police officer. However, I always worry for his safety and that of everyone who is a member of our law enforcement community. It’s never far from my thoughts. God bless them all.”
Members of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) also joined their law enforcement family to pay their respects. Several deputies attended, including PBA President Ryan Griffin and Deputy Joe Wasilewski, who were traveling on their police motorcycles, despite the snow.
Griffin described the atmosphere on 5th Avenue as a “sea of blue” with officers in formation for “as far as we could see.” Asked why they joined, Griffin told Mid-Hudson News that “Sworn law enforcement officers around the world are part of an enormous family. When we lose a family member, we unite to do our best to help the slain officer’s family feel just a little bit better.” After returning to Dutchess County, he added, “If we can make the worst day of the lives of the immediate family just a little bit brighter, we will do it.”
Other veteran local cops who are close to retirement did not attend. “I can’t do it anymore,” said one officer. “I’ve been to way too many police funerals and it really takes its toll.”
