New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who was a police captain once, said he saw an echo of himself in Jason Rivera, who joined the NYPD hoping he could make better. The 22-year-old along with Officer Wilbert Mora, 27, were fatally wounded January 21 by a gunman who opened fire on them in a hallway as they responded to a family dispute.

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“He did it for the right reasons — he wanted to make a difference. There were days when I felt the public did not understand and appreciate the job we were doing, and I want to tell you officers: They do. They do,” Adams said.

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Authorities are still investigating what motivated the gunman, who was shot by a third officer and later died.

Rivera’s widow, Luzuriaga slammed the new Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat who has instructed prosecutors not to pursue certain cases, including some allegations of resisting arrest.

“The system continues to fail us. We are not safe anymore. Not even the members of the service,” Luzuriaga said.

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Jeffrey Rivera recalled how his brother as a youngster was obsessed with joining the police force, even if he would later come to know its flaws.

Within 72 hours, four officers were shot in the city. 

“The horror that took their lives is an affront to every decent, caring human being in this city and beyond,” Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said, telling any criminals in the city to “see the presence in this cathedral — the NYPD will never give up this city.”

With inputs from the Associated Press