Hundreds of local police pay respect to slain NYPD officer

Hundreds of local police officers were among the estimated 25,000 men and women in blue that came to pay their respects to fallen NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos.

Hours before Saturday's 10:00 a.m. service, officers from our area, travelled to Queens, New York.

Members of the Philadelphia Police Department filled two buses at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge in Northeast Philadelphia.

"If anything were to happen to one of us, we would expect the same thing from anybody else," said Ofc. Jonathon Castro, Philadelphia Police.

"Whether we're the Philadelphia Police Department, the NYPD or the LAPD - we're all brothers and sisters in blue," said Sgt. Jason Sommerville, Philadelphia Police.

Members of the Bensalem Police Department Honor Guard also joined the show of unity, placing black bands over their shields.

Members of the Collingswood Police Department sent Action News photos from outside the funeral. The service was so packed, they stood blocks away.

It was just a week ago that a gunman, reportedly angry with police, ambushed Officer Ramos and his partner Officer Wenjian Liu, killing them.

Protests for two unarmed black men killed by white police officers led up to the NYPD officers' deaths and demonstrations continue throughout the country.

In Center City on Saturday, members of the Muslim community peacefully protested against police brutality.

During Officer Ramos' final farewell, hundreds of officers outside the service turned their backs on New York Mayor Bill de Blasio in a show of disrespect for what they see as his support for anti-police protestors.

Philadelphia police tell Action News that they are focused on honoring their fallen brothers and serving the community.

"Regardless how the public views the police in a negative light or positive light, we're going to continue serving the community we serve to our fullest extent," said Sgt. Sommerville.

"This is what we do, this is our livelihood. We protect and serve, that's our job - we don't go to work to get killed," said Roosevelt Poplar, vice president of both FOP 5 and the state FOP lodge.

Funeral arrangements for Officer Liu are still pending. However the officers we spoke with say they plan to attend his funeral as well.