Currents News Staff
With heavy hearts, they carried him on their shoulders as Officer Wilbert Mora starts his final journey home. New York’s finest will be at St. Patrick’s Cathedral for the second time in a week.
Just like Detective Jason Rivera’s wake, thousands are expected to turn out to pay their respects to his partner who died just days after him. Mora’s family is giving a thumbs up to officers lined up outside.
Mora, who entered the police academy in 2018, is remembered for always smiling.
But the mood at the 32nd precinct has been a somber one since Jan. 21 when the 27 year old and his 22-year-old partner were ambushed while responding to a domestic disturbance in Harlem.
Mora’s colleagues at the 32 describe him as a big teddy bear: kind, a goofball and life of the party who was always joking after roll call.
He was a man who took care of his elderly parents and a hero even in death. Mora was an organ donor who will live on through the five people he saved with his heart, liver, two kidneys and pancreas.
Bishop Robert Brennan talked about the family’s decision to donate mora’s organs.
“They made decisions knowing who he was,” Bishop Brennan said. “How he lived his life and how he served in the New York City police department, his goodness, his generosity… and so they made it possible for him to continue that even in his last days… even when you thought he had already given it all.”
Detective Rivera’s widow honored Officer Mora with an Instagram post saying “although I never met you, thank you for always being eager to work with my angel, regardless of him being a rookie. Take care of us.”
The funeral Mass for Officer Wilbert Mora will be at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Wednesday Morning at 10 a.m.
Be sure to tune in to Current News online, Facebook and Twitter, Wednesday for live coverage of Officer Mora’s funeral.