- NEW: Ramos is made honorary NYPD chaplain at 84th precinct posthumously
- NEW: Ramos and partner are also promoted to detectives first grade posthumously
- NEW: Mayor avoids political remarks, focuses on how "New York City has lost a hero"
- NEW: Some officers turn their back on church as mayor speaks
New York City (CNN) -- A sea of blue flooded the streets around a Queens church Saturday morning -- thousands of police waiting to pay respects for one of two New York officers who lost their lives in the line of duty last weekend.
More than 25,000 police officers attended Christ Tabernacle church in the Glendale neighborhood for the funeral of Rafael Ramos, the New York City police officer murdered one week ago.
Biden: Ramos a cop for all right reasons 
Cuomo pays tribute to slain NYPD officer A funeral service and procession for Ramos, 40, started at 10 a.m. at the church, where he was a 14-year member. A police honor guard took his casket into the church.
Full honors for fallen NYPD officers 
Cops remembered as loving family members 
People light candles during a vigil on Sunday, December 21, for two NYPD officers who were ambushed and killed on Saturday. The two NYPD officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were shot while sitting in their police car. Police have named Ismaaiyl Brinsley as the shooter. 
Lucy Ramos, aunt of slain police officer Rafael Ramos, speaks at a news conference in front of Ramos' childhood home on December 21. 
A New York City police officer kneels on Sunday, December 21, in front of a small memorial for two police officers who were killed in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday. 
The Rev. Al Sharpton, center, speaks about the killings of the officers during a news conference at the National Action Network headquarters in New York on December 21. Behind him are, from left, Esaw Garner, widow of Eric Garner; attorney Michael Hardy; Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; and attorney Jonathan Moore. 
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, third from right, speaks on December 21 while Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, fourth from right, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, right, listen during a news conference at an impromptu memorial near the site where the officers were shot. 
Mourners stand at attention as the bodies of two fallen NYPD officers are transported from Woodhull Medical Center on Saturday, December 20. 
New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton speaks alongside Mayor Bill de Blasio, left, and NYPD's Chief of Department James O'Neill, right, during a news conference at Woodhull Medical Center on December 20. 
Investigators work the scene where two NYPD officers were shot December 20, in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. 
The officers were shot and killed ambush-style Saturday afternoon as they sat in their patrol car in Brooklyn, officials said. 
The officers -- one with two years' experience, the other with seven years on the job -- were normally assigned to downtown Brooklyn but were working a "critical response" detail in an area with higher crime, police said. 
The shooter was found dead in a nearby subway station from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. The shooter, identified as Ismaaiyl Brinsley, arrived in New York from Baltimore, police said. 
The shooting occurred near Myrtle and Tompkins avenues in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. 
Police officers gather near the scene of the shooting. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder called the attack "an unspeakable act of barbarism." 
An officer with a police dog monitors the scene on the evening of December 20. 
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Photos: Two NYPD officers fatally shot 
What drove cop killer to act? Vice President Joe Biden, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Police Commissioner Bill Bratton and Mayor Bill de Blasio are among those in attendance.
During the service, Bratton announced he was appointing Ramos to an honorary NYPD chaplain. Also, he posthumously promoted Ramos and his slain partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, to detectives first grade.
Vice president's eulogy
"I'm sure I speak for the whole nation when I say our hearts ache for you," Biden told the family during the service.
He noted how an expected 25,000 officers were surrounding the church in solemnity and added how they "will stand with you for the rest of your life.
"Its an uncommon fraternity," Biden said.
Biden referred to how Ramos -- known to those close to him as Ralph -- was gunned down December 20 along with Liu as they sat parked in their patrol car in Brooklyn. The pair were assassinated, according to Bratton, simply because of the uniform they wore.
"Today we pay tribute to Officer Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu," Biden said.
About police officers, he said: "Thank God for them."
"Amen," some in the church said.
"This is the finest police department in the world," Biden added, drawing applause.
He added that the bullets that targeted the officers also "targeted the city, and (they) touched the soul of an entire nation."
Governor leads applause
Cuomo then led the congregation in delivering a round of applause to the Ramos family.
Cuomo noted the local protesters who have taken strong exception to police conduct and the recent killings of unarmed black men nationwide.
Cuomo praised the professionalism of the NYPD officers at those protests.
"The NYPD protected the right of free speech even though they were targets of false and abusive tirades," the governor said. "What a beautiful testament to their professionalism."
He also noted threats against police.
"The threats against the New York police are insults to the law-abiding and won't be tolerated," Cuomo said, adding that the National Guard "has your back every step of your way."
Anyone making threats "will be investigated, and they will be prosecuted," Cuomo added.
Cuomo also delivered a measure of levity when he spoke of Ramos' two sons.
"Justin and Jaden are Mets fans, which tells us a lot of about them. It means they are really tough and really committed and really, really, really loyal," Cuomo said, drawing widespread laughter.
Mayor avoids politics
Unlike Cuomo, de Blasio did not comment on protests and threats against police during his remarks.
Nonetheless, a couple of officers booed de Blasio when he arrived for the funeral, and some officers outside turned their backs on the church when the mayor spoke. Some protest signs against him, including "Dump de Blasio," were shown, but they were small displays, and officers were largely polite.
That tension reflected how de Blasio criticized police conduct in the days before the officers were killed. His criticism came as many parts of the nation had been roiling with racial controversy over the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police.
During the service, de Blasio hailed Ramos for his desire to serve people in many ways.
The mayor noted that Ramos spent the last 10 weeks of his life studying to be a chaplain, and that he was to graduate on the day he was killed.
"He was already serving in so many ways, and yet he felt deeply called to serve spiritually, as well," de Blasio said.
"Our hearts are aching today," the mayor said. "I feel it physically. ... New York City has lost a hero -- a remarkable man because of the depth of his commitment to all around him."
He offered condolences to Ramos' family, and then to the NYPD, who he said is "hurting so deeply right now."
"He was so commited to the NYPD. It meant so much to him to be a member of the finest police force in this country," Ramos said.
Ramos made honorary chaplain
Bratton drew applause when he stated that Ramos "was a hero."
"They were killed because they were blue," Bratton said of the slain officers.
Bratton drew applause again when he announced he was appointing Ramos, posthumously and effective Saturday, as honorary department chaplain for the 84th Precinct.
Bratton also promoted both Ramos and Liu to detectives first grade, posthumously, drawing applause again.
"Officer Ramos was assassinated because he represented all of us," Bratton said.
Livestreaming
Television monitors and loudspeakers broadcast the service to the crowds packing the streets outside. The church posted a stream of photographs of Ramos' on YouTube.
The service began with a young woman the church identified as Mia Hunt-Pierce singing the national anthem. Police outside stood at attention. The church choir then sang, "O Come All Ye Faithful."
Ramos -- known to those close to him as Ralph -- was gunned down December 20 along with fellow Officer Wenjian Liu as they sat parked in their patrol car in Brooklyn. The pair were assassinated, according to Bratton, simply because of the uniform they wore.
NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos saw streets as his ministry
The body of the gunman, Ismaaiyl Brinsley, 28, was found at a subway station shortly after the slayings. He had shot himself.
Ramos leaves a wife, Maritza, and sons Justin and Jaden, the latter of whom recounted how he had to say goodbye to his father in an emotional Facebook post.
"(H)e was the best father I could ask for," Jaden wrote after the shooting. "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."
Justin, the older brother, spoke at his father's wake at the church Friday, according to CNN affiliate NY 1.
"My father was a man of character. He was a selfless man," the college sophomore said. "He always went above and beyond for his family, constantly putting everyone before himself. Dad, I'm forever grateful for the sacrifices you made to provide for me and Jaden."
Garner's daughter visits NYPD memorial 
Charities offer help to families of slain officers
His pastor, the Rev. Rafael Castillo, said his death was a loss for the church.
"He was a man of great faith, and his faith informed his worldview, not just as a police officer, but as a husband and as a father," Castillo said. "And as I've been saying, we are going to miss him a great deal."
CNN's Camille Cava and Miguel Marquez contributed to this report from New York.
Source: Top Stories - Google News - http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&ct2=us&usg=AFQjCNH7AiPMwowiQa8cugA4t1-gj0IWtw&clid=c3a7d30bb8a4878e06b80cf16b898331&cid=52778693622244&ei=6u2eVPiHGsuRgQfq5oCQCg&url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/27/us/nypd-officer-rafael-ramos-services/
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