Governor Calls Slain Officer's Family to 'Convey Love of 20M New Yorkers'

Gov. Kathy Hochul told the family of a New York City police officer who died Tuesday after being shot in the line of duty that she “wanted to convey the love of 20 million New Yorkers.”

While visiting Syracuse, Hochul spoke about her call to the mother and brother of Officer Wilbert Mora, who died earlier Tuesday at NYU Langone Medical Center.

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“I was speaking with his family within minutes of when we learned of his passing,” Hochul said. “It was just so heartbreaking. I called and I just wanted to convey the love of 20 million New Yorkers.”

Hochul shared some details of her private phone call at an editorial board meeting Tuesday afternoon of syracuse.com | The Post-Standard.

“I said to the family and the brother and mom, ‘What an incredible home he must have been raised in,’” Hochul said. “I mean, for him to be the kind of person who’s willing to go into a dangerous job…So, I just wanted them to feel proud of the environment they created to allow someone like that to really step up and be in that profession.”

Mora, 27, and his partner, Officer Jason Rivera, 22, were shot Friday night as they responded to a call from a woman who said her son had threatened her in a Harlem apartment building.

The suspected shooter, identified as Lashawn McNeil, emerged from behind a bedroom door and opened fire. Rivera died Friday. McNeil was shot by officers who returned fire. He died Monday.

Hochul said she will attend the funeral for the two slain police officers.

“Those are just the ones that just break your heart,” the governor said. “Both in their 20s. I said I’m a mom. I’ve got a young son, a little bit older than that…How would I feel if this was my child? It is devastating.”

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