Thursday was a heavy day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

Members of the NYPD and New Yorkers everywhere came to pay their respects to Officer Jason Rivera. 

The 22-year-old and his 27-year-old partner Wilbert Mora were both killed in an ambush last Friday while responding to a domestic call in Harlem. 

What You Need To Know

  • Police say 1,800 people an hour walked through St. Patrick’s Cathedral Thursday

  • Rivera and his partner Wilbert Mora were killed in an ambush Friday while responding to a domestic call in Harlem

  • Officers from departments across the country and across the world came to support their brothers and sisters in blue

“For his life, 22-years-old, to be cut so short, so quick, not anything anybody should have to experience,” said Rivera’s high school basketball coach. “This is devastating. He used to stay after school with me, 'Help me work out other kids, train other kids,' a beautiful individual.”

Officers from police departments across the country — and across the world — came to Thursday’s wake, as did thousands of other New Yorkers who didn’t know Rivera, but wanted to offer their support. 

“I commend them for being brave, for going in that home, and all the sudden this just — I’m still floored, I’m still understanding why,” said Cynthia Cox of the Bronx. 

“It’s just the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do,” said Michael Glus of Queens. “I’ll be here on February 1 for the other officer.”

“Whenever I see a police officer, I want him to know that here in my heart, they have a place,” said Amado Geronimo, who came from New Jersey. 

At a time when relationships between police departments and communities nationwide are fragile, some New Yorkers hope coming together to remember Rivera’s heroism will prove to be a pivotal moment. 

“They’re here to help us to maintain law and order, we have to be ready to help them in the same way,” said Cox. 

“Whatever I can do, along with the rest of our family and those of us who daily feel so compelled to be out here and be part of this transformation that I believe is about to happen in the city, where wonderful law enforcement are going to be remembered and honored,” said Geronimo. 

In the meantime, thousands are left to remember, honor and mourn a life taken too soon. 

Rivera’s funeral mass is Friday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 9 a.m.

The wake for Mora will be held Tuesday, also at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 

Mora’s funeral will be Wednesday at 10 a.m.