New York-based JetBlue Airlines is offering free round-trip flights for two policemen from each department in the country who want to attend the funerals of New York Police Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were killed by a lone gunman Saturday.
Liu, 32, and Ramos, 40, were gunned down execution-style by Ismaaiyl Brinsley, as they sat in their patrol car.
In addition, JetBlue is attempting to use its corporate partners to fly in family members of Liu, who hailed from Guangzhou, China.
Ramos’s funeral is being held on Dec. 27, whereas Liu’s funeral hasn’t been scheduled, pending the arrival of relatives from China.
JetBlue said in a statement that its flights are available “to law enforcement agencies across our route network who wish to send representatives to New York to support their brethren … We are accepting up to two officers from each department (space permitting).”
[…]
The NYPD’s 25th Precinct in Manhattan thanked JetBlue on Twitter for “offering free flights to NYC for any police officer in America who wants to attend Officer Ramos’ funeral on Saturday.”
Twitter provided the outlet for other outpourings of support to JetBlue, including this from Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren, as reported by Twitchy:
CBS reporting #jetblue is flying free police to the funeral of the NYPD police. I love Jet Blue
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) December 24, 2014
Former MLB southpaw pitcher Bob Ojeda, who led the New York Mets to its 1986 World Series championship, had this to say:
What JetBlue is doing for Officer Rafael Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu is incredible and heartwarming…May they rest in peace…
— Bob Ojeda (@BobOjedaSNY) December 24, 2014
And then there were these:
A beautiful Christmas gift RT @CNNWire: @JetBlue offers to fly police to #NYPD funeral http://t.co/o9YEjotBHN pic.twitter.com/yfQVMgQ0Cu
— Cameron Gray (@Cameron_Gray) December 24, 2014
Gaining much respect for @JetBlue. Thanks for flying police to visit Ramos and Liu’s memorial, and Liu’s family from China. #BlueLivesMatter
— Kelleh Jian (@oceallaigh_) December 24, 2014
Please tweet @JetBlue and thank them for honoring these two police officers..plus offering airline flights for police pic.twitter.com/RNtGE0X7VN
— Renegade Cowboy (@Rene_gadeCowboy) December 24, 2014
Brinsley shot and killed officers Ramos and Liu shortly after boasting on Instagram that, “I’m Putting Wings on Pigs Today,” according to the New York Post.
“They Take 1 Of Ours . . . Let’s Take 2 of Theirs,” the post continued, ending with, “This May Be My Final Post.”
Brinsley committed suicide shortly after the shooting, when he realized escape would be impossible. Liberty Unyielding is unaware of anyone offering anything to anybody to attend his funeral.
