Transcript: Mayor Adams Delivers Remarks At Funeral Service For NYPD Officer Edgar A. Ordoñez

July 18, 2024

Mayor Eric Adams: Some years ago, I was in China after the death of Officer Ramos and Officer Wenjian Liu. Many of the people I met there talked about the death of a New York City police officer, one of the first Asian Americans to die in the line of duty. I thought about that this morning as I sat here and I reflected on the life of Officer Timoshenko, Officer Mora and Rivera, Officer Ramos.

I think about all those officers who have joined the department, how far we've come. Now we're here, where a young man named Edgar, an immigrant from Honduras, decided to put on the police uniform and understand that the prerequisite to our prosperity as a city and a country is public safety. We are burying today an ambassador that comes in the spirit of those officers who represented their countries and decided to take upon the awesome responsibility of protecting our city.

Those of us who have already gone this way, or those who are currently on the department, you know as well as I do, when you walk into a community that has traditionally been ignored or felt as though law enforcement did not truly represent them, when you walk through the door and speak Spanish, speak Chinese, speak Russian, speak Italian, speak German, all of a sudden there's a different feeling that comes from those who you are here to serve and protect.

I say to the family of Edgar, your son is an ambassador. He represents the greatness of Honduras. He represents what you wanted in a child, to believe in family, to believe in faith, and to believe in public safety. You lost a son, but you have picked up a family. As painful as it is, and as it was just explained, we question God, we wonder why a young man so young, with two beautiful daughters, that we had to lose in such a fashion. I've learned sometimes, we have to sometimes let go and let God. Let go and let God.

There's a reason for everything that we do. These painful moments must turn into purposeful moments. I say to you, your son's desire to become a member of the New York City Police Department speaks volume of not only as a member of your family, but it speaks volume as a member of the Honduras community. We lost an ambassador today. We buried him. This is a moment of Calvary, where the loss of Jesus Christ gave us life. Your son's loss is going to give life to so many.

The diverse men and women who sit in this room, that come from different walks of life in the pursuit of the American dream, let's use this moment to understand why it was so important to diversify our department so that it reflects the diversity of this city and the diversity of this country. When you lose a member of the New York City Police Department, it not only resonates throughout the city of New York, but it resonates throughout the home countries that they come from. That is why people pursue to come here to New York City and to participate in the origin of the dream.

This is the only country on the globe where dream is attached to its name. No other place but America. New York City represents what's great about America. The reason that dream is alive and well is because of the men and women of the New York City Police Department that protects everything about that dream. Edgar was one of them.

When you look at the pictures that's in front of him, I don't think I see one photo where he's not smiling. That warm smile lights up this entire church like I know it lit up your entire lives and the memories of his company that talks about how warm, how caring, how inviting he is. Don't remember what happened at the range. Remember that smile. That smile will bring us comfort and caring and concern.

Our hearts go out to you. It's painful to have a mother bury a son. That is one of the most unnatural moments we could have. Sons are supposed to bury their mom and dad. They're not supposed to see their mom and dads bury them. This is a moment where God must become real. I have to say to you, let go and let God.

Deputy Chief Amir Yakatally, Police Department: Good morning. I'd like to first thank Mayor Eric Adams, Commissioner Caban, First Deputy Commissioner Kinsella, and the NYPD executive staff. All members of the service, including our current recruits and recent graduates from the Police Academy. Thank you for being here and lending us your support. To the friends and family of Edgar Ordoñez, thank you for allowing us to mourn along with you.

At the Police Academy, recruits go through six months of training in law, police science, tactics, among other critical subjects to prepare them for the field. The most important lessons we impart to young recruits is to teach humility, appreciation, and respect for the power and authority imbued upon us once we graduate. For some, to transition from a civilian mindset to one of service and holding oneself to a higher standard takes time. For others, like Officer Edgar Ordoñez, it comes naturally.

Edgar came to us already with a solid foundation of sound heart, mind, spirit, determination, and strength of character. In meeting his family: Sofia, Wilfredo, Khymani, Stephanie, Elaine, and Rocio, you feel that kind, humble spirit they all share. It comes as no surprise that Edgar himself was so well regarded. To the Ordoñez family, you should know that Edgar left a strong impression on those around him. To hear his fellow officers speak about the man he was, always a father first. He would share to those he just met that he was doing this to get his kids out of the Bronx. Everyone around him knew he was a dedicated father, always thinking of his twins, Alani and Amari. He would talk of planning future play dates with his fellow recruits and their children. He would also share that he wanted to change the narrative between police and community. Now that sounds great when a recruit says that to me, but to express that to his peers in daily conversations shows that he believed in this purpose.

One of his greatest strengths was his ability to stay in control of his emotions, regardless of the circumstances. When things got tough and he would visibly struggle, the words out of his mouth were the complete opposite, full of motivation and positivity. He knew to always put one foot in front of the other in order to persevere. He shared that mindset with his peers as well, with constant words of encouragement, bringing others along who would fall behind. These sentiments would be repeated by all who interacted with him, describing someone who was more than prepared to take on the awesome responsibility of becoming a police officer.

Although he is gone, he made his impact not only on the officers of Company 2417, but also on the over 600 recruits that graduated on Monday, and the rest of us who got to know him through his passing. At the request of Company 2417, I'd like to read Edgar's own words on why he chose to become a police officer. As I sat there in that auditorium, there were so many words going through my head. I was excited, nervous, overwhelmed, and more importantly asking myself what in the world did I just sign up for? As I looked back on my life, I looked at what got me here. Throughout my whole life, I never really had role models or had many strong influences besides the people I saw on television. I knew that I always wanted to help and serve good.

Not to get praise or credit, I just wanted to do it because it was just simply the right thing to do. Through my lifespan, so many things have happened. 9/11, war in foreign countries, multiple virus scares, and lastly, police brutality. I said to myself, this can't be it. Multiple times in my life, I always aspired to become a police officer, but I never pulled the trigger to take a chance. That's until I became a father. Some people were blessed to have sons, some people were blessed to have daughters. I was blessed to be a father of a set of twins, which happened to be a boy and a girl.

When I became a father, I knew that it was no longer about me, it was about them. Not only do I want to be a hero in their eyes, I want to set an example for them to not only be a great man and great woman, but most importantly, be great human beings. I just hope one day I will make them proud to know that daddy did his best. The dreams Edgar aspired to achieve, and I'll promise to uphold the highest standard in his honor, will serve as inspiration and guidance for Alani and Amari for them to strive for greatness. Through our deeds, we will make them proud of their father. May we never forget Edgar Ordoñez, and continue on to preserve his legacy for his children's future. Thank you.

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