NYC to name streets in honor of slain detectives Liu and Ramos
By RYAN GORMAN
New York City will name streets in honor of two recently slain officers.
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that a street in Queens and another in Brooklyn will be named after detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos following their December 20 murders at the hands of a crazed gunman.
Part of Ridgewood Avenue, a main thoroughfare near the Queens neighborhood where Ramos lived, will be renamed "Detective Rafael Ramos Way," the mayor said in a statement.
A section of West 6th Street, in the Gravesend section of Brooklyn, will be named "Detective Wenjian Liu Way." Liu lived among a large Chinese population in the neighborhood.
"Our fallen heroes will never be forgotten. Their memory lives on in their families, and in the NYPD family," de Blasio said.
"Now it will live on in the streets of the communities these brave men lived in and protected. This is an expression of our pride in each of these men, and our sadness at their loss."
A bill introducing the measure will be voted on during the city council's second meeting of the new year. It is expected to pass unopposed.
"We will never forget the tremendous sacrifice by Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in service to our city," said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
"These courageous men were fathers, brothers and sons, and they were committed to the protection of every New Yorker who calls this city home.
"The street co-namings in honor of Detective Ramos and Detective Liu will stand as an ever-present testament to their legacy and memory."
Multiple city council members also shared in the collective grief following the detectives' execution on a Brooklyn street in broad daylight.
This street co-naming will ensure that the memory of Detectives Liu and Ramos lives on in our city," said Council Member Mark Treyger.
"Detective Rafael Ramos was a friend, a neighbor, and a role model ... the risk and sacrifice that all law enforcement officers face in order to maintain public safety is something that New Yorkers cannot and do not take for granted," said Council Member Rafael Espinal.
"Detective Rafael Ramos and Detective Wenjian Liu served New York City with honor and bravery. Their selfless sacrifice must never be forgotten," said Council Member Mark Levine.
Detective Ramos was eulogized in a department funeral this past Saturday. Detective Liu, his partner, is set to be buried this coming weekend.
Related links:
'#ShootThePolice': Crazed man's online ranting before executing two NYPD officers, committing suicide
Major rift emerges between NYPD, mayor in wake of officers being shot dead
NYPD arrests reportedly plummet following assassination of two officers
