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Son of Slain Cop Pens Heartfelt Tribute to Dad

Killer angered by police-involved deaths killed two cops on Saturday

AP
December 22, 2014

NYPD officer Rafael Ramos and his partner Wenjian Liu were shot dead Saturday by a man apparently seeking retribution for widely publicized recent officer-involved civilian deaths. Rafael's 13-year-old son Jaden Ramos published a goodbye message to his father on Facebook.

"Today I had to say bye to my father," Jaden said. "He was their [sic] for me everyday of my life, he was the best father I could ask for."

"It's horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer."

Police identified Ismaaiyl Brinsley as the shooter in a statement issued Saturday.

"Today, two of New York's Finest were shot and killed, with no warning, no provocation," NYPD Commissioner William J. Bratton said on Saturday. "They were, quite simply, assassinated—targeted for their uniform, and for the responsibility they embraced: to keep the people of this city safe."

"According to witness statements, the suspect, who has been identified as 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, walked up to the police car. He took a shooting stance on the passenger side and fired his weapon several times through the front passenger window striking both officers in the head."

Brinsley had posted a message on Instagram threatening to kill police shortly before the attack, the Daily Signal reported.

"I’m Putting Wings On Pigs Today. They Take 1 Of Ours….. Let’s Take 2 of Theirs," Brinsley wrote.

Brinsley took his own life before police could apprehend him.

Officer Liu, 32, was a seven-year veteran of the NYPD and had recently been married, according to Commissioner Bratton. Officer Ramos, 40, had served two years on the force and left behind a wife as well as his son Jaden, the commissioner said.

"Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people they call for help," Jaden Ramos said in his Facebook message. "I will always love you and I will never forget you."

"RIP Dad."