Slain NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos Remembered by Pastor for Faithful Service in Marriage and Life Ministries, Being a Family Man

By Sami K. Martin, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, December 23, 2014

A New York Police Department officer salutes the American flag as residents gather to show their support for policemen, two days after officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were shot and killed as they sat in a marked squad car in Brooklyn on Saturday, outside the 50th Precinct Station House in Bronx borough of New York, December 22, 2014. New York City's police commissioner urged an easing of tensions on Monday after some in his force, responding to the fatal shooting of two officers, accused Mayor Bill de Blasio of being insufficiently supportive of police. The U.S. Justice Department on Monday condemned Saturday's attack in which a 28-year-old man with a troubled history killed the two officers in their patrol car to avenge the killings by white officers of unarmed black men in Ferguson, Mo., and New York City. | (Photo: Reuters/Adrees Latif)

Rafael Ramos was one of the two NYPD officers murdered on Saturday, and he's remembered for his commitment to his church as well as his passion for ministry.

Ramos and his partner, Wenjian Liu, were executed by a lone gunman who later took his own life. Ramos, 40, dreamed of being a chaplain and was hours away from graduating from the New York State Chaplain Task Force when he was killed. The pastor of Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens, New York, where Ramos was a member, issued a statement remembering the fallen officer's service.

New York Police Officer Rafael Ramos, 40, is seen in an undated picture provided by the New York Police Department December 20, 2014. A gunman ambushed and fatally shot two New York City police officers on Saturday identified the as Ramos, 40, and Wenjian Liu, 32. Ramos had a 13-year-old son. | (Photo: Reuters/NYPD/Handout)

"Ralph Ramos was a long-standing member of 14 years at Christ Tabernacle. When he was not working, he was highly involved in our church. He served as an usher, was part of our marriage ministry and life group ministry. He and his family are well loved throughout the congregation," said Rev. Adam Durso who serves as executive pastor at Christ Tabernacle Church.

"Ralph was definitely a family man. He always talked about his kids and how well they were doing athletically and academically. He loved his church and family. He leaves behind his wife, Maritza, and two sons, Justin and Jayden, plus a host of family and friends. This is a tragic loss for us as a church, but we are committed to Maritza, Jayden and Justin to give them what Ralph gave us week in and week out," he continued.

Ramos' son, Jayden, posted a tribute to his father on his Facebook account; that tribute has now gone viral. Eric Garner's daughter, Emerald, reached out to the Ramos family after reading Jayden's message and offered words of encouragement.

"He was the best father I could ask for," the 13-year-old wrote. "It's horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer. Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people that they call for help. I will always love you and I will never forget you. RIP Dad."

"It hit my heart because I know what it feels like with this upcoming season and you don't have your father around," Emerald Garner said. "I know firsthand what you're feeling."

Rev. Marcos Miranda, president of the organization where Ramos was studying to become a chaplain, praised Ramos for his commitment and dedication to ministry in various forms.

"It was an honor to have him," Miranda told The Christian Post. "He had just taken the 10-week course and was a faithful member of his local church, Christ Tabernacle. He was due to graduate this past Saturday, where we graduated 144 chaplains. Ramos would have been a lay leader and been endorsed by his denomination. I will remember his kindness the most — even the kindness in his eyes — in our talks, he asked what I thought of him being a police officer, and I said it was an honorable job. He said he thought it was ministry because he was helping those in need."

"He never thought he could be a chaplain," Miranda added. "He saw himself doing this type of ministry after he retired from the NYPD. He was very excited about that possibility."

Miranda told NBC News that he plans to present Ramos' chaplain credentials to his family at the upcoming memorial service, thereby fulfilling one of his dreams.

Meanwhile, Christ Tabernacle is mourning the loss of a man who exemplified the motto "No Place Like Home."

"When his team was scheduled to serve, we never worried about whether Ralph would be there with his team to help," Durso said. "He was a humble man and was willing to help at any capacity; helping people to their seats, moms with their baby carriages or the elderly in and out of our elevator."

"On the night of the attacks, our pastors, life group members and police officers from this church stood together in solidarity at the hospital," he noted. "We are continuing to pray for the Liu and Ramos family. We are also praying for the NYPD, the mayor's office and the 8.4 million people who call New York City home."