Thousands turn out for NYPD officer's funeral

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - A New York City police officer who was shot and killed while sitting inside her police vehicle last week was laid to rest Tuesday morning.

Officer Miosotis Familia was remembered Tuesday at a Bronx church for her smiles and kindness. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Police Department Commissioner James O'Neill were among those who paid their respects. They were joined by members of the rank and file and neighborhood residents.

Church members handed out tissues as mourners arrived. A screen flashed images of a smiling Familia with friends and family. It also showed images of the memorial outside the Bronx precinct where she worked.

The stage bore a large photo of Familia over a black draping with the NYPD insignia. One of the floral arrangements bore the message "Blue Lives Matter" with angel wings.

Commissioner O'Neill announced during the service that the NYPD posthumously promoted Familia to detective. This is a common courtesy given to officers killed in the line of duty that both honors their sacrifice while also increasing the benefits paid out to the officer's family.

A day earlier, a seemingly endless stream of officers, friends, family, and even people just from the neighborhood came by to pay their respects during the wake for Familia at World Changers Church in the Fordham section of the Bronx.  

The church is in a historic, baroque-style theater that seats 4,000. The dark blue ceiling resembles the sky.

From the time the wake began until it ended, the line of people waiting to go inside stretched several blocks down Grand Concourse.

Familia's fellow officers, Commissioner O'Neill, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, and former Commissioner Bill Bratton were among the many who attended.

Familia was of Dominican descent, so even officers from the Dominican Republic flew into New York for the services.

Alexander Bonds ambushed Familia as she sat in her command post vehicle after midnight on July 5, police said. He fired a single shot through the window. She had been writing in her memo book and never saw him coming. The 12-year veteran of the force and mother of three was rushed to the hospital where she died.

Just days before the ambush, Bonds sought a psychiatric exam at St. Barnabas Hospital but was quickly released. Gov. Andrew Cuomo is demanding an investigation into the treatment Bonds received at St. Barnabas.

Familia left behind a 20-year-old daughter and 12-year-old twins. 

Several charities are raising funds for Familia's children. The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Answer the Call, and Thin Blue Line USA are all accepting donations.