New York police, politicians honour slain officer

One of two New York police officers shot dead was laid to rest Friday, in a case that has crystallised a rise in gun violence that new mayor Eric Adams has vowed to tackle.

Officer Jason Rivera, 22, was killed while responding to a domestic disturbance in Harlem with his 27-year-old partner Wilbert Mora, who also died this week of his gun wounds.

Under a light snow and sombre sky, thousands of officers along with Rivera's family, the police commissioner and Mayor Adams, himself a former cop, gathered at the famed St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan for the funeral service that was held in both English and Spanish.

The state's Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator Chuck Schumer were also in attendance.

"He lived his dream, although too short a time," the priest said of Rivera. "He made a difference."

An organist played "God Bless America" to close the ceremony, and the blaring of bagpipes filled the streets outside the cathedral, as is traditional in New York police funerals.

"Through pain and sorrow, this is exactly how he would've wanted to be remembered. Like a true hero," said the officer's widow, Dominique. The childhood sweethearts were newly married.

One police officer in attendance said in Spanish that "I'm in a lot of pain" following the shooting of the man she called a friend, with whom she said she graduated.

Another officer, who also would not give his name, said, "We are sad. Sad for him, for his family. Unfortunately, he won't be the last."

The city's police commissioner, Keechant Sewell, gave Rivera a posthumous promotion to the highest rank for a detective, first-grade, a traditional promotion for officers killed while working.

"The NYPD will never give up this city," said Sewell to the congregation. "We will always prevail."