NEW YORK — The memorials are growing, from the site where two New York policemen were murdered to the station house where they reported for duty each morning.
Now, the official mourning begins with the first of two wakes Friday for Officer Rafael Ramos, who died alongside his partner, Wenjian Liu, in a shooting that turned the city’s traditionally most festive week into one of mourning, political tension and concerns over copycat crimes.
Thousands of people, including uniformed officers and civilians who did not know Ramos, were expected at the Queens church for the viewing and wake. Ramos’ funeral is planned for Saturday, and Vice President Joseph Biden is to represent the White House at the service.
Mayor Bill de Blasio also plans to be there, despite the growing animosity between him and police union leaders who say his attitude toward the 35,000-strong police force encouraged Ismaaiyl Brinsley’s deadly attack last Saturday in Brooklyn.
Brinsley, 28, shot Ramos and Liu as they sat in their patrol car. He then shot himself to death in a nearby subway station. Officials say that Brinsley had shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend outside Baltimore hours earlier.
Brinsley had posted online anti-police rants that indicated he was angry over the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police. But he also had a long arrest record and a history of emotional problems that led even his mother to fear him, police said.
Ramos was 40 and the father of a 13-year-old son. Liu, 32, was married two months ago. City officials say they are trying to help his family obtain visas for Liu’s relatives in China so his funeral can be arranged.
As flowers, candles and symbols of the holiday season, including Christmas trees and menorahs, piled up at memorials to the officers, police announced the arrests of more people in connection with threats against police.
The most recent arrest came on Christmas Eve, when police say someone called 911 to report overhearing a man in a bank talking on his cellphone about “killing cops and possessing firearms in his house.”
A statement from police said a man fitting the witness’ description was arrested a short time later. A search of his house turned up two firearms, including one with a defaced serial number; two bullet resistant vests; brass knuckles and a holster, police said. The man, Elvin Payamps, was being held on illegal weapons charges and other charges.
Police said that since the deaths of Ramos and Liu, they have assessed “hundreds” of online postings and calls to 911, and that about 40 resulted in investigations into threats against the NYPD. “About half have been closed or referred to other agencies,” the NYPD said.
It said seven people so far have been arrested in connection with threats, including people accused of making fake 911 calls to report threats and others who posted threats on social media.
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