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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder sent four of his officers to New York City to attend the funeral of Officer Wenjian Liu, who was killed in the line of duty.
Four officers from the Unified Police Department and the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office will be among the hundreds in uniform attending the funeral for one of their own.
The group left Utah on a red-eye flight to New York City where they received a heartfelt welcome.
"They arrived at about 5:30 a.m. this morning and were immediately embraced by New York City police," Winder said, adding that it's the brotherhood that unites them.
“I think what it demonstrates to these communities is that they’re not alone, that the loss they suffer and they feel is very emotional — that it's shared collectively by officers and communities throughout the country."
In the past, critics have questioned the cost of sending officers to funerals. Winder said his agency will spend less than $2,000 to have four officers attend Liu's funeral, who, along with his partner, Rafael Ramos, were gunned down in their patrol car.
"I think when we go, we represent the citizens of Salt Lake to the citizens of New York,” he said.
JetBlue Airlines covered the plane tickets.
Winder said the cost is minimal, but the support shown in times like this is priceless.
"When you drive by and see thousands of school children holding flags with tears coming down their eyes, or tow truck drivers with their trucks parked and saluting, I mean, it just really affects you," he said.
Winder said it also serves as a sobering reminder.
"Every story is so different and some are just so tragic and just a reminder of how quick this can all end for us."
