Murdered NY officers' promoted as detectives

New York, Dec 27: Vice President Joe Biden says the slayings of two New York City police officers in an ambush shooting have "touched the soul of an entire nation."

Biden addressed hundreds of police officers and family and friends of Officer Rafael Ramos inside the Christ Tabernacle Church in Queens today.

Outside the church, thousands of police officers watched the funeral service on giant screens. Biden drew sustained applause when he called the New York Police Department the finest in the world.

Funeral plans for Ramos' partner, Officer Wenjian Liu, have yet to be announced.

Both Ramos and Liu were appointed to detectives first grade. Meanwhile, Ramos was was appointed posthumously and effective on Saturday, as honorary department chaplain for the 84th Precinct.

The officers were killed December 20 while sitting in their cruiser on a Brooklyn street. The assailant killed himself.

PTI