NEW YORK — Thousands of police and other mourners gathered Friday at the funeral service for Brian Moore, a "cop's cop" with an "infectious smile" who was shot to death earlier this week by an ex-con in Queens.
Moore, 25, was remembered at St. James Catholic Church in Seaford, Long Island, where officials and members of the NYPD community — including Mayor Bill de Blasio and the family of assassinated Det. Wenjian Liu — arrived to pay their respects.
NYPD Commissioner William Bratton called Moore a "hero of the city" and posthumously promoted him to the rank of detective first grade.
"Brian was a cop's cop in every way," he said in his eulogy. "He had the gift."
Moore, a five-year veteran, was on patrol in an unmarked police car Saturday near 212th Street and 104th Avenue when he was shot by 35-year-old Demetrius Blackwell, police said. He died two days later at Jamaica Hospital.
"It's a shame," said Seaford resident Marie Troise, 60, who stood in her front yard watching police officers line up for the service. "It was a senseless killing."
The atmosphere outside the parish where the service was held was markedly less tense than that at the funerals for murdered Dets. Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu this past winter, where many officers turned their backs on de Blasio as the mayor spoke.
None of that animosity was witnessed at Friday's service, where NYPD members gathered outside the church milled around, talking and drinking water.
Both de Blasio and Bratton eulogized Moore, a Long Island resident who came from a police family — both his father and uncle are retired NYPD sergeants, while three cousins are police officers, officials said.
"At the age of 17 he had already taken the NYPD entrance exam. He just couldn’t wait to be old enough to join the force," de Blasio said. "When he got there, when he finally became an officer, he didn’t do it halfway — he devoted his whole being to the job."
Moore worked in the 105th Precinct's Anti-Crime unit and had made 159 arrests since joining the NYPD in 2010, officials said. He also earned medals for exceptional police service and meritorious police service.
"It became clear to many he was a rising star," the mayor said.
Officials also spoke of his sense of humor, his "infectious" smile, his fondness for cars and the Baltimore Orioles, as well as his love of family and the enthusiasm he had for his job.
"He dreamed of being a cop. He dreamed of following his dad, whom he loved so much," Bratton said. "He dreamed of getting the bad guys off the streets. He wanted to make a difference."
Pat Lynch, head of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said Moore was a recognizable face in the 105th Precinct where he worked.
"As a New York City Police Officer, if you have a community member say, 'I remember him,' you've done your job and you've done it well," Lynch said.
Moore and his partner had been trailing Blackwell Saturday after spotting him adjusting his waistband, according to the NYPD. The suspect then opened fire on their vehicle, striking Moore in the head.
Blackwell — who has multiple arrests dating back to 1995 — was arrested nearby shortly after the shooting. He is facing first-degree murder charges, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.
