NEW YORK--Thousands of mourners, led by FBI director James Comey and New York mayor Bill de Blasio, are expected at the funeral Sunday of a second police officer killed against a backdrop of nationwide anti-police protests.
Wenjian Liu, 32, was shot in the head with partner Rafael Ramos, 40, on December 20 as the pair sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn.
The murders in broad daylight shocked America's largest city and saw members of the police turn furiously against the mayor for having supported protests calling for police reform.
Ramos was buried last week and services for Liu, delayed so that relatives could arrive from China, will begin at 11 am (1600 GMT) at the Aievoli Funeral Home.
Thousands of police officers from across the United States are expected to join their New York colleagues at the funeral, braving wet and chilly weather to give Liu an emotional, hero's send-off.
Liu and Ramos were shot dead by a gunman who claimed to be acting in revenge for the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, which have sparked nationwide protests in the United States.
Police said the shooter, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, had a clear anti-police bias. He shot his ex-girlfriend on December 20 before carrying out the double murder.
Shortly before targeting Liu and Ramos, Brinsley boasted on Instagram that he intended to attack officers and referenced two unarmed black men killed by police.
De Blasio has ridden a firestorm of criticism in the wake of the shootings from political opponents and police union members.
Hundreds of officers turned their backs on the mayor as a sign of protest at Ramos's funeral on December 27.
New York police commissioner Bill Bratton has told officers not to protest against de Blasio at Sunday's funeral.
- About grieving, not grievance -
A wake for the murdered patrolman appeared to pass without incident on Saturday when de Blasio made a low-key appearance in Brooklyn.
Images appeared to show officers saluting as the New York mayor passed up steps into the Aievoli Funeral Home.
Bratton has called for no repeat of the snub that greeted de Blasio as he addressed mourners at Ramos's funeral.
"A hero's funeral is about grieving, not grievance," Bratton wrote in a memo to the 34,000 New York police officers.
"I issue no mandates, and I make no threats of discipline, but I remind you that when you don the uniform of this department, you are bound by the tradition, honor and decency that go with it."
Bratton said the protest at Ramos's funeral "stole the valor, honor, and attention" owed to the Ramos's "life and sacrifice."
"That was not the intent, I know," Bratton added. "But it was the result."
Some officers have been highly critical of de Blasio for remarks about police relations with black Americans that they say incited the shooting.
They remain angered, in particular, over de Blasio's statement that he counsels his biracial son to be particularly careful around police officers.
Liu's family emigrated to the United States when he was 12-years-old.
US media have highlighted his ethnic background and that of Ramos, of Puerto Rican descent, as evidence of diversity in the New York police department, traditionally drawn from Irish and Italian backgrounds.
AFP
