Slain NYPD Officer: ‘man of God’
Revelation 14:13
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Commentary
This is really difficult as a police chaplain. I was a federal agent for 26 years and retired in 1998. I am originally from Long Island, NY and one of the original founders of International Cops For Christ. The Long Island chapter was separate from the New York City one, which was known as Cops for Christ.
We had many cops from the NYPD who use to fellowship with us. We held preaching events together. I left NY in 1986 and lost contact with the NY chapter, but if I was still in NY there was a good chance I would have known this officer. He was truly one of the NYPDs finest.
With the rise of Islam and the Hard Left, there is much more bloodshed coming to America. The church failed to repent and cry out to the LORD.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Slain NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos was a chaplain-in-training, ‘man of God’ 12/22/14
“One of the police officers killed while in his New York Police Department cruiser was a devoutly religious man who saw his police work as a form of ministry.
Rafael Ramos, who had recently turned 40 and had been a school resource officer, joined the NYPD three years ago because he wanted to serve his community. The day he was killed he was supposed to graduate from a chaplaincy program so he could go into full-time ministry after retirement.
“Ralph Ramos was a family man that loved his wife and his sons. You couldn’t have a conversation without them coming up,” Pastor Michael Durso, of the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens told Fox News Latino on Monday. “He loved volunteering at the church. His smile was infectious and … he would make you feel at home. We are really going to miss him.”
He said one of the biggest messages they have is to encourage parishioners to find ways to express their faith in their vocations and it was something Ramos did all the time.
“He was not just a churchgoer. He lived out his faith while he worked,” Durso said. “This was a guy who loved his family, loved his city and loved his church. The city lost a great guy.”
Ramos’ cousin Ronnie echoed the pastor’s words, telling the Wall Street Journal: “My cousin had a couple of priorities in his life. One was God, because he was a God-loving man. I wish I could be half the man my cousin was. He was sweet. He didn’t deserve … to die.”
Ramos was shot in the head at point-blank range on Saturday along with his partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, 32. Police said Ismaaiyl Brinsley killed them after venting online about wanting to kill two cops in revenge for the police-involved deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown.
“I know when he was out there he was doing his job as a police officer and also as a religious man,” said Jose Rodriguez, president of the NYPD’s 75th precinct who was a personal friend of Ramos, according to the New York Post. “His family is very hurt.”
Rodriguez said Ramos went into police work because he loved helping others.
“[Ramos] was in the community. He was a community guy. He’d go to the church with his family. He’d go to the pizzeria. A regular father,” Rodriguez said. “(Helping others) that was his passion; that’s what he loved doing.”
The killing came at a time of rising tensions between police and the community following the chokehold death of Garner and the killing of Brown in Missouri.
Friends and family said Ramos wanted to end the hostility between police and the communities he served through his love for God.
“He wanted to be a different kind of cop. He wanted to talk about God, put God on the street, bring something more to the uniform,” said Jose Ortiz, a retired cop who heads security at the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens where Ramos had been a member for 14 years, according to the New York Daily News
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In fact, the Ramos family said their religious beliefs helped them find compassion following the cold-blooded killing.
“We don’t blame [Brinsley],” Ramos’ cousin, Richard Gonzalez, said. “The Ramos family forgives him. I know if Rafael was here, and it was the opposite, (he) would say the same words.”
Ramos’ youngest son, Jaden, who is 13, was effusive in describing his father on Facebook, calling him the best dad “I could ask.”
“Today I had to say bye to my father,” he wrote on Saturday. “He was there for me every day of my life, he was the best father I could ask. 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.”
On Monday, the charity founded by the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner announced it would be setting aside $40,000 for the education of Ramos’ two sons.
Maine’s Bowdoin College, where Ramos’ oldest one, Justin, was a student, announced on Monday that it was going to cover his education costs.
The college in Brunswick tweeted on Monday that it will provide “full financial aid to enable the son of slain NYPD officer to complete his Bowdoin education.”
Durso said members of the church have been with the family to help them through this difficult time.
“We are standing with them. This is a very, very difficult time for Maritza and the boys,” he said.
The timing of this can’t be missed. He was to graduate from Chaplain training the day he was killed. Evil thinks it’s having it’s way. Maybe, but only because God says so, for a short while…..
Come soon Lord Jesus, come on down here and take us outta here.
God Bless us all,
Joni
I am so ready to go Home. Maranatha
What a vile world we live in.
Just read that these policemen had been tracked (“stalked”) with a phone app.! What a crazy, mixed-up world we live in with so much evil! God be with us all!
Praying for the families!
2 Peter 3:13 (KJV)
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Maranatha!
This is truly a huge loss. First, for the Kingdom of God, second, for his wonderful family and third, for all who he would have touched. He was our brother in the Lord. Our adversary was indeed behind every bit of this as he seeks to remove the Jewish people and Christianity off from the face of the earth.
I wake up every day knowing that it could be my last due to my faith, what I believe and, who I stand for. I am certain our brother knew the same. We all need to understand this very clearly so that if that day comes, we will stand strong.
My sadness is for his family and for all who he would have undoubtedly touched in a big way.
Thank you,officers…..for all you do.You have one of the toughest job’s,anyone could have.What we see is the unraveling of a society,[worldwide] actually,because it hates God and His laws.Even though I see us going police state,what are the other options?Anyone see the ‘church’ speak up and speak truth to a Hell bound culture?See any real revivals happening?,See sackcloth and ashes on sale anywhere?No….We are on a collision course with the Creator,our Lord Jesus.Cannot come too soon for me…but,I want to be on my trusty steed,I’ve even named him in advance…..Nigel,.has a nice ring to it.Lord Jesus,we are working,and we are ready for your coming for us.If we shall suffer for your name,so be it..but let us be found faithful to you,working as we are led by your Spirit and power.Time appears very short.I just heard the FDA may approve of homosexuals giving blood to the blood supply.If that happens,and you see me on the side of the road bleeding out,let me die.The life was once in the blood,but now satan has let death be there instead.Surely,Jesus cannot be far off…On a happy note,God bless you all,enjoy Christ with your families if you can,Dan.w.
I think our communities need to rally behind our police officers. Bake them some cookies, send some thank you cards, fix a tray of goodies for them on New Year’s Eve. I for one am so very thankful for them and our fireman.
These thugs that are protesting are just low lives with no lives. Small percentage of the population but are the ones with big mouths and media coverage.
So let’s rise above them.
Merry CHRISTmas everyone,
Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. This scripture has been strong on my mind today making me very tearful! A few months back the Holy Ghost was putting it on my heart to pray for the police officers and county as well! I heard on the news this morning that this officer was Christian which made me smile he is home with Jesus, the killings have bothered me greatly since it happened. There is so much hatred all over I’m surrounded by it, I saw a DVD interview where Otto Frank speaking about the camps he kept saying the hate the hate! I really believe this nation is about to be abolished by the lifting of the hand of God off of it! I see it coming together everyday I read the news!
I am going to share this with my Sunday School class tomorrow (I teach teens). Brother John I just wanted to add that this is my “go to” place to find such great teachings for my teens. I taught your lesson on “Homosexuality vs. God’s Holiness” and it was a great lesson for them to understand and one that was truly necessary.
Wow, you made my day, Thanks