New York, NY…This message comes with deep sadness. Put the flags at half-mast. Today, two of our officers were shot and killed, with no warning, no provocation, in the 079 Precinct. They were assassinated—targeted for their uniform, and for the responsibility they embraced: to keep the people of this city safe. Police Officer Wenjian Liu and Police Officer Rafael Ramos will be remembered. They will join a line that is too long, a line of partners who served together and made the ultimate sacrifice together: Foster and Laurie, Piagentini and Jones, Reddy and Glover, Cerullo and Masone, Guerzon and Williams, Andrews and Nemorin, Parker and Rafferty, and now Liu and Ramos. We will not forget them, and we will not forget the oath they took—that we all took, too—but for which they died: that we uphold the constitution, and faithfully discharge our duties, to the best of our ability. May God grant Officer Wenjian Liu and Officer Rafael Ramos rest. And to all members of the service, be safe.

William J. Bratton

Police Commissioner