A vigil is being held Sunday for slain NYPD Police Officers Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27. (Photos: NYPD)
Jan. 26, 2022 By Michael Dorgan
A Queens lawmaker is hosting a candle-light vigil in Ozone Park Sunday for the two young police officers who were killed in Manhattan last week while responding to a domestic disturbance.
Council Member Joann Ariola is hosting the vigil at 5:30 p.m. at Police Officer Nicholas Demutiis Park, located on Liberty Ave. between 101st and 102nd Street.
The vigil will remember Police Officers Jason Rivera, 22, and Wilbert Mora, 27, who were gunned down inside a Harlem apartment Friday. They were shot by Lashawn McNeil, 47 — a career criminal whose mother had called police for help after arguing with her son. McNeil was fatally shot during the incident.
Ariola said she is hosting the vigil to honor the slain officers and to try to bring healing to residents mourning the loss of their young lives.
“It really shocked the community… because each and every time we lose a police officer we feel less safe living in a city that we love so much,” Ariola said.
“And I think the families of Officers Rivera and Mora need to know that their family member did not die in vain and are not forgotten.”
Ariola said that leaders from different religious groups are expected to attend the vigil and prayers will be said for the fallen cops.
The District 32 representative said that invites have been sent out to other elected officials representing areas that overlap with her district and to lawmakers from neighboring communities. District 32 covers Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the western half of the Rockaway Peninsula.
Ariola said that other fallen police officers will also be remembered at the vigil, such as Police Officer Nicholas Demutiis – whom the park is named after. He was killed in January 1994 when a suspect was trying to flee police and rammed his vehicle into Demutiis’ car.
She said it was important for the community to come together and show their appreciation for the police.
“We are hoping that it is largely attended because our police force needs to know that there are people who support them and people who pray for their safety every day,” Ariola said.
Please join us for a candlelight vigil for Police Officer Jason Rivera and Police Officer Wilbert Mora and the entire NYPD on Sunday evening at 5:30pm at PO Nicholas Demutiis Park next to the 106th Precinct. pic.twitter.com/I2ePXy6bYW
— Joann Ariola (@JoannAriola32) January 26, 2022
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30 Comments
Rest in Power Brothers. My condolences to family.
May the soul of officer Jason Riviera and Wilbert Mora and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace and let perpetual light shine upon them Amen ? May Almighty God comfort family and love ones they left behind in Jesus mighty name Amen ?. We will keep you in our prayers. Please accept our condolences.
I watched one of the funerals on tv..It was amazing to see mostly high profile, wealthy, cops and rich folks there, R.I.P. Glad they allowed his family to talk and share the spot light with people like the mayor and police commissioner.
I was mad that my soaps were cancelled. I had to turn the tv off. Nyc is depressing enough. And today im stuck in doors reporting dogs off leash to 311. The is not the suburbs people! Go back to iowa if you want your dog off leash.
Lets mourn the cops and call it a night. We have no choice but to cuz they are the ones being paid to protect us and looks bad for tourism and future high paid transplants if you dont. Hundreds of civilians were shot at this year who have left this world nameless in the press and few cared until the rise in cop shootings. Cops will be more careful next time, delay response time even more to domestic abuse calls and the mayor and police Commissioner will continue to play on both sides of the fence for good publicity and no protests.
I would go but it is suppose to snow this weekend and i want to use my sled.
I love baking cookies and cakes during snow storms. Ill be busy cleaning up on Sunday.
Without guns, nobody would have been killed. PERIOD.
you’re 200 years too late to the conversation. there is no way to remove all guns. gun makers have moved production to south of the border and are selling to the cartels, who then work with the cia to bring it into the US.
which means you love crime, just as much!
Interesting… how so?
Tragic. There is the perfect storm of angrier people, more crimimals willing to commit violence, a soft stance on crime and a public that yells for defunding the police. All that has lead to major problems in society. Theres no leadership to tackle all of it. Just empty suits who will sheepishly make a prepared generic speech, while nothing else is done. Rinse and repeat.
Why were the cops called, and why were they responding to a domestic incident? Why weren’t the guidance counselors dispatched?? We need to investigate this.
Good point. I seem to recall this was the type of “non violent” incident that social workers were better off handling according to the defund the police crowd.
Dan – Are you posting responses to your very own posts?
This is just heartbreaking!!! It’s a reminder that the job the NYPD does every day is a dangerous one. I’ll wait for the story that this guy was mentally disturbed, mentally unstable etc. etc… Then the “advocates” will be out. Adams needs to do something. I know he’s only three weeks into it but, it’s been an unbelievably bad three weeks. Prayers for the officers’ families.
A lot of people were convinced Adams was a law and order candidate based on his police background. They ignored that he spent most of his time as a cop running a group opposing police brutality. All these cops shot and now killed in three weeks with a mayor and D.A. who favor perps and think white supremacy is the real problem can’t be a mere coincidence. And does anyone think the new police commissioner is anything more than a virtue hire?
Keechant Sewell is the first female to serve as NYPD Commissioner. Her prior position was Chief of Detectives in the Nassau County PD, commanding a staff of 350 officers, and previously served 22+ years in their police department. She attended the FBI’s National Academy and was a standout student. Her career included roles as a patrol officer, undercover detective, and FBI hostage negotiator. Sewell also was a member of the NY-NJ Joint-Terrorism Task Force. She is Queens born and was raised at the Queensbridge Houses.
I don’t even know what you mean by a “virtue hire” Mike, but she strikes me as one tough leader with exceptional career experience.
Funny how now the right pretend to care about cops when they were smushing them between doors on January 6th 😆
Why are you posting? Two young men lost their lives protecting the city that we live in. Do you just like seeing your hashtag? Post your political propaganda somewhere else. Troll.
Two against one. How’d they lose?
Actually the bad guy who was armed with a lot of firepower was stopped by a good guy with a gun. How well would you do in a situation that went from 0-100 in a heartbeat and was over in seconds. Better question is to the editors, how do you allow such a biting comment to be posted especially when you have a history of censorship? Smh
You really are vile and a cop hating troll
yeah, because thanks to your progressive liberal vote, nyc is a paradise wonderland.
Criminal violence with a fire arm. Made easier with the help of Republicans.
Funny how the left only care about cops on January 6th..when they had no problem with an unarmed person getting shot dead.
Did you hear her eulogy at the funeral today? Outstanding. She got a standing ovation.
Awful tragedy I’m sure Caban , mamdani , and gianaris will not show up since they have a soft spot for criminals
Do not forget these two young men or the young girl gunned down in Burger King on lex and 116th street
But she’s just a girl???
She was a teen working at burger king trying to help her family pay bills. It made national and global headlines. https://www.google.com/amp/s/nypost.com/2022/01/14/man-questioned-in-connection-to-murder-of-teen-burger-king-worker/amp/