City to Name Streets in Honor of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos

December 31, 2014

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito today announced the City will move to name two streets in honor of Detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos. The co-namings will be sponsored by Council Members Mark Treyger and Rafael Espinal, who represent the two detectives’ districts, and Council Member Mark Levine, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Legislation will be introduced co-naming Ridgewood Avenue, between Shepherd Avenue and Highland Place in Brooklyn, “Detective Rafael Ramos Way.” West 6th Street, between Avenue S and Avenue T in Brooklyn, will be co-named “Detective Wenjian Liu Way.” The blocks are the sites of the detectives’ respective homes, and were selected in consultation with their families.

A street co-naming bill honoring the two detectives will be introduced and voted on at the City Council’s second stated meeting in January.

“Our fallen heroes will never be forgotten. Their memory lives on in their families, and in the NYPD family. And now it will live on in the streets of the communities these brave men lived in and protected. This is an expression of our pride in each of these men, and our sadness at their loss,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

“We will never forget the tremendous sacrifice by Detectives Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu in service to our city,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “These courageous men were fathers, brothers and sons, and they were committed to the protection of every New Yorker who calls this city home. The street co-namings in honor of Detective Ramos and Detective Liu will stand as an ever-present testament to their legacy and memory, and will remind us all of the daily sacrifice of our brave men, women and families of the New York City Police Department to keep our city safe.”
  
“This is a tribute to the tremendous sacrifice that our police officers make to keep New York City safe for all residents. This street co-naming will ensure that the memory of Detectives Liu and Ramos lives on in our city,” said Council Member Mark Treyger.

“Detective Rafael Ramos was a friend, a neighbor, and a role model to the residents of the Cypress Hills Community. I am proud to introduce a bill on behalf of his family and the Cypress Hills community that will co-name a street in his honor. The risk and sacrifice that all law enforcement officers face in order to maintain public safety is something that New Yorkers cannot and do not take for granted. This act is a small expression of appreciation of his life and his service to the city he loved and fought every day to make safer. His legacy will never be forgotten,” said Council Member Rafael Espinal.

“Detective Rafael Ramos and Detective Wenjian Liu served New York City with honor and bravery. Their selfless sacrifice must never be forgotten. Co-naming these streets in their memory is one important way we can ensure that the legacies of our fallen heroes will live on in the hearts and minds of New Yorkers,” said Council Member Mark Levine.