James O'Neill speaks during the funeral of NYPD Officer Miosotis Familia at the World Changers Church. AFP/Getty Images
Police Commissioner James O’Neill on Tuesday spoke of the death of one specific cop. But he spoke to the family, to the NYPD and to the city as a whole.
And he spoke heartfelt truth, beautifully.
He spoke of the life lost, Police Officer Miosotis Familia: “a kind and authentic woman” who “wanted to improve the lives of other families” and so chose “to become an NYPD cop” — epitomizing “why many people choose to become police officers.”
Her legacy, he promised her kin, “will never fade from importance or memory.”
“Because we,” the NYPD and all the rest there in a vast sea of blue, “we will continue to find our way forward in her honor.
“Because that’s what cops do.”
Cops “are regular people who believe in the possibility of making this a safer world.” It’s what she believed, what she was doing when that “coward” took her life just because she was Blue.
Whatever his other issues, “He hated the police” — the “bad guys” demonized “in conversation,” on TV, “in the newspapers.”
Demonization with consequences: “This amazing woman ... was assassinated solely because of what she represented and for the responsibility she embraced.”
He asked each citizen to “decide that people like Miosotis’ killer will ultimately fail.”
“Support your police . . . work with us. Commit to watching the backs of those you call when you’re scared, those you call when you’re in trouble.”
“Our anger can be transformed into effective change. Our sorrow can make us a better society. We may not ever match the sacrifice made by Miosotis, but surely we can try to match her sense of service . . . We can strive to match her devotion.”
And you can play your part. “Connect with your police. . . We need your assistance. We need it now, more than ever.”
“That’s how your neighborhoods will keep getting better. . . That’s how we’ll find our way forward, together. That’s Miosotis’ legacy.”
Let us all do our part to earn that legacy.