In honor of fallen NYPD officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora, dozens of people came together in Upper Manhattan on Sunday to run a 5K, according to Spectrum News NY1. The purpose of the 2nd annual run was to keep the memory of our fallen heroes alive. The run was hosted by the Dyckman Run Club, which was started to bring their community together. Rivera was an original member of the club, and many wore gear memorializing him.
Participants shared their thoughts and memories of Rivera. Eloy Suarez, an NYPD officer, said “Jason knew his purpose was to bridge the gap between the community and the NYPD.”
Rivera was one of the four original members of the Dyckman Run Club, starting the initiative in a northern Manhattan community that had not yet established a running club. Edward Montas, a cofounder of the Dyckman Run Club, said that Rivera would be proud of the turnout at the 5k event. Montas explained that bringing the community together to do something good was one of Rivera’s goals, and Montas shared that he believes Rivera was smiling down on everyone that day.
Mora is also remembered for his service, sacrifice, and for saving lives beyond his death. Mora donated his heart, liver, two kidneys, and his pancreas which were received by people who needed them with three being New Yorkers and two from other states.
CBS New York reported, officers Rivera and Mora were killed in the line of duty over one year ago in January responding to a domestic dispute. Both were killed by convicted felon Lashawn McNeil who suddenly opened fire on the officers. Both Rivera and Mora will forever be remembered for their bravery and sacrifice protecting the people of New York.