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POLICE LINED THE streets of a Long Island town where thousands attended the funeral today of a New York officer allegedly shot dead by an ex-convict.
Brian Moore, 25, was the third New York officer killed in America’s biggest city in five months, against a backdrop of nationwide protests and racial tensions over police killings of unarmed black suspects.
Moore, who was in plainclothes, was shot in the head while inside his unmarked car with another police officer in the borough of Queens last Saturday. He died in hospital two days later.
Friends, family and fellow officers from across the United States and even Canada attended the televised Catholic mass at St James Church in the town of Seaford, 40 miles east of Manhattan.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who yesterday unveiled a new budget that snubbed requests from the police department to add more officers to the force, also attended the service, as did police commissioner Bill Bratton.
“Brian, like so many of his brother and sister officers, ran always into the trouble not away from it,” preached New York police chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano.
“He is a hero along with his partner Eric and the millions of past, present, future men and women who have and will don the blue uniform and shield of the NYPD.”
Police departments across the United States have faced heightened criticism over their tactics and treatment of black suspects, following the death of a number of unarmed black men at the hands of officers.
The US Department of Justice on Friday opened an investigation into whether police in the city of Baltimore engaged in systematic misconduct and excessive force, following the eruption of violent riots.
Six police officers have been charged in connection with the arrest and death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who suffered a serious spinal injury while in the back of a police van last month and died a week later.
Demetrius Blackwell, 35, an ex-convict and a career criminal, was arrested shortly after the shooting and faces murder charges over Moore’s death.
He allegedly opened fire on the officers as they tried to follow him.
Patrick Lynch, president of the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, said Thursday it was “dangerous and shortsighted” not to hire more police officers in an effort to control neighborhood shootings.
There are currently 35,000 police officers in New York. The city has a population of more than eight million.
On December 20, New York officers Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, were shot dead as they sat in their patrol car by a black gunman claiming to be avenging the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of police.
- © AFP 2015.
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Mark is a lovely guy and I hope he is found safe and well really soon. Sharing this article on social media can help raise awareness. Maybe someone has seen him.
I really hope he is found safe and well. I can’t imagine how hard this must be on the family.
Hopefully he is just being “a very naughty boy”, and will turn up with a rake of cool stories.
Really hope this lad is ok and he makes contact.
I just can’t believe you have just said that!! One of the most ignorant & inconsiderate comments I’ve read on Journal.ie. Life swings in roundabouts… Mocking is catchin….
People like him are just clowns Stephen. Best ignored in my opinion
At last that comment was removed! I hope they find this chap soon.
I understand this is the gardai’s press release, but its not entirely accurate. Mark is in my college class and was last seen leaving a lecture DIT on aungier st on tuesday night at about 9:40 before walking down towards Georges St.
It just seems strange to not provide his last known movements, but like I said I realise this is the gardai press release boilerplate.
Please God he is found safe & well.
I hope mark is found safe and well praying for his safe return a friend of the family
I’m leaving outside of Ireland, so just dropping in and out of the news. Why are so many young men going missing lately?
I do hope he and all the others are found safe but is this a bit quick.
Well I’m his brother and if you’re brother went missing you wouldn’t be saying that.
Last seen Sunday Sacha, 4 days ago….how is that a bit quick?
Hey Niall, really wishing you, your family and friends all the best and hoping for a good result man.
Best wishes to you Niall and family for a safe return.
Niall I wish you and everyone involved in this appeal and all others a very positive outcome and that there is a perfectly reasonable explanation.
Separately I unfortunately do have a brother who goes missing from time to time and the first few times were hard. Even on a 5 day trip to london he went missing for 2 days. His behaviour changed after a hit and run crossing the road. Unreserved apologies for any disrespect my comment may have caused. None was intended.
Chin up Niall. Hopefully he will be found safe and well
Hope he’s found safe and sound lad .dont mind these c***s who live pathetic lives
Fair play Sacha. Your sentiment and feelings understood by all I trust
I hope you find him, if he was last seen with a rucksack, maybe he planned to travel somewhere and you will find him soon, please god.
Was in Maynooth with him hope he’s ok everyone thinking of u and ur family Niall and that mark is too
Hi Niall I don’t know you but I know your sister and your mam our thoughts are with ye all at this tough time don’t listen to negative comments you have enough to deal with x
I hope u find him safe and well and bring him home to the people that love him
Any news on Mark, please god he was found safe and sound
have your say