In a rousing and emotional eulogy for fallen police Officer Miosotis Familia Tuesday, NYPD Police Commissioner James O’Neill appeared to shame anti-police groups like Black Lives Matter.
"Let me tell you something," he said. "Regular people sign up to be cops. They sign up for this job of protecting strangers, knowing there are inherent risks. But not one of us ever agreed to be murdered in an act of indefensible hate. Not one of us signed up to never return to our family or loved ones.
"So, where are the demonstrations for this single mom, who cared for her elderly mother and her own three children?" he asked pointedly.
The attendees gave the rhetorical question a long standing ovation.
"There is anger and sorrow, but why is there no outrage? Because Miosotis was wearing a uniform? Because it was her job?" he continued.
"I simply DO NOT accept that," he proclaimed. "Miosotis was targeted, ambushed, and assassinated. She wasn’t given a chance to defend herself. That should matter to every single person who can hear my voice, in New York City and beyond.
"We know there’s evil in this world. That’s why we need the police," O'Neill continued, "But as New Yorkers, we can decide that people like Miosotis’ killer will ultimately fail. He will not drive us apart. We can decide to come together and make our city reflect the good inside all of us, the hopes and simple dreams we share."
NYPD Police Commissioner is applauded at slain cop's funeral: “Where are the demonstrations for this single mom...why is there no outrage?” pic.twitter.com/11fTjy38Du
— ABC News (@ABC) July 11, 2017
"I’m asking the public to make a commitment to support your police," he concluded, "to work with us. Commit to watching the backs of those you call when you’re scared, those you call when you’re in trouble."
Officer Familia was assassinated while sitting in her patrol car by a man who had posted an anti-police tirade on social media. At her funeral, hundreds of police officers also showed their disdain for Mayor Bill De Blasio, who missed her vigil to go protest the G20 economic summit, by turning their backs to him when he spoke.