3 county officers make trip to NYC
NEW YORK — Conrad Pfeifer, Dennis Crawford and Randy Ruediger never met New York City Police Officer Wenjian Liu.
But they say they didn't need to do so to feel compelled to attend his funeral in Brooklyn, N.Y., this past weekend.
“Police officers share a special bond,” said Crawford, a Penn Township police officer for more than two decades. “Other police officers understand.”
In addition to the brotherhood — the Thin Blue line — the Butler County men, who have attended services for other fallen officers locally, said the tragic circumstances of Liu's death also compelled them to show support for all of their brothers in blue.
Liu, 32, and his partner Officer Rafael Ramos, 40, were gunned down while sitting in their squad car on Dec. 20.
The officers' killer, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, described as a disturbed loner, committed suicide shortly after killing the two officers.
“Those are some powerful circumstances,” said Pfeifer, a Middlesex Township officer for eight years.
Ramos' funeral was a week ago. However, Crawford, Pfeifer and Ruediger, a Middlesex officer who has about 30 years of experience, said they couldn't make travel arrangements in time to attend his funeral.
But Liu's funeral was delayed so relatives from China could travel to New York. Following a wake Saturday that contained elements of Chinese and Buddhist funerals, Liu's service took place Sunday at the Ralph Aievoli & Son Funeral Home in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn.
The officers from Butler County said it took support from the community to help them be among the estimated 25,000 police officers from around the world to attend.
They did not take a police car. Diehl Automotive helped them out with a vehicle. Ibis Tek donated special arm bands reflecting mourning, and Butler County FOP Lodge 107 and Penn and Middlesex townships made donations.
The three set out toward New York about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, but encountered an ice storm en route that slowed then down to 30 mph on Interstate 80. They didn't arrive at their Manhattan hotel until around 6 p.m.
“This was not a sightseeing tour,” Pfeifer said. “This was not a vacation.”Sunday morning the three in their uniforms joined officers from around the world. The place they were directed to stand was about 100 yards away from the funeral home. So they watched most of the service on a large screen television and listened to comments over a loud speaker.“We could see the entrance to the funeral home,” Pfeifer said. “But just a glimpse.”The ceremony, they said, was emotional. Liu, a Chinese American came to this country because he wanted to help make it a better place. His family spoke of his dedication and their loss.“And the bagpipes.” Pfeifer said. “They really get me.”When New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio's image appeared on giant video screens during the service, an officer at one corner yelled out “about face.” Officers in the general area — including pedestrians as well as the three Butler County officers — followed the command.NYPD rank-and-file have been critical of de Blasio, who they blame for adding to the anti-police sentiment in the city. Those police officers turned their back on de Blasio to send a political message.“We were there to support the NYC police officers,” Pfeifer said. “I have nothing but the most awesome and great things to say about the New York Police Department. They treated us like kings, every single one of them came up and thanked us for coming ...“People can protest by burning cars and looting and they believe that shows their strength in numbers. We, the police, showed our support by backing up our brothers in law enforcement.”
