NEW YORK (WCBS 880) -- The second NYPD officer wounded in Friday’s shooting during a domestic call in Harlem has died days after his partner.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the death of 27-year-old Officer Wilbert Mora in a tweet Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s with great sadness I announce the passing of Police Officer Wilbert Mora,” Sewell tweeted.
“Wilbert is 3 times a hero. For choosing a life of service. For sacrificing his life to protect others. For giving life even in death through organ donation. Our heads are bowed & our hearts are heavy,” Sewell continued.
Mora had been hospitalized in grave condition with a gunshot wound to the head. He was taken off life support Tuesday. His partner, 22-year-old rookie Officer Jason Rivera, died Friday.
Mayor Eric Adams said “our hearts are heavy” and “our city is in mourning” as he ordered flags to remain at half-staff in honor of Rivera and now Mora.
“Wilbert Mora was a hero,” Adams tweeted Tuesday. “He served his city, protected his community and gave his life for our safety.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James called Mora "a hero to the end."
"He dedicated himself to serving and protecting the people of New York City, and I'm praying for his family and the entire NYPD community," James said. "New York will never forget officers Jason Rivera and Wilbert Mora. May they rest in peace."
The organization Answer the Call, which provides financial assistance and support to families of New York City officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty, said it would provide $25,000 to Mora's family in addition to Rivera's family. Donations to Answer the Call can be made at answerthecall.org.
On Monday night, clergy, community leaders, members of the NYPD and nearby residents gathered for a two-hour vigil outside the NYPD's 32nd Precinct in Harlem to pray for Rivera and his family, as well as for the recovery of Mora.
Many left flowers, candles, and notes of condolences for the officers and their families.
Advocates are also vowing to turn pain into purpose.
Michelle Tege, of The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), said she and others will head to Washington to lobby for new gun laws.
"We need to pass these laws, to strengthen those policies and practices, we need to eliminate these illegal guns," Tege said.
On Tuesday morning, NYPD Traffic Supervisor Winter Smalls stopped at the growing memorial to pay her respects.
"I know this mother's pain all too well," said Smalls, whose son became an NYPD officer at the same age as Rivera. "And I'm not saying no other has touched me, but none has touched me like this. This is like my child. My son been on the job 12 years now and when he came on the job he was just 22. It just hurts me as a mother."
Smalls lit a candle and placed it among the dozens on the sidewalk outside the precinct in tribute to the young hero.
"When you come to this job, you come to protect and serve and that's what he had shown. He was going out to a situation to help somebody," Smalls said.
The alleged gunman, 47-year-old Lashawn McNeil, died of his injuries at the hospital on Monday.
During a search of the apartment where the officers were ambushed, investigators found several weapons, including a legally-purchased AR-15 rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition hidden under a mattress.
Rivera had only been a part of the NYPD for 14 months, joining the 32nd Precinct in November of 2020 after a lifelong dream to be a police officer was realized.
The uptown Manhattan native leaves behind a wife and child.
The officer's wake will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m.
A funeral mass will be held Friday morning at the cathedral.
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