NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) — Police lined up four rows deep in front of a Bronx mosque on Thursday to pay respects to a fellow NYPD officer who was among the victims of a gunman's rampage at a Manhattan office tower.
Officer Didarul Islam, 36, was fatally shot Monday in a Midtown building housing the NFL's headquarters. A security guard, real estate firm employee and investment firm executive were also killed.
Here's the latest:
12:45 PM -- Hochul, Adams speak at funeral
The funeral was attended by various state and local officials, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, who both spoke.
The governor said Officer Didarul Islam, who was working security at the building, died a hero.
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul attend the funeral on Thursday, along with police officials.Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
"Whoever saves a life it's as if they save all of humanity," she said. "This officer saved lives. He was out front. Others may be alive today because he was the barrier. He was there to protect the people in that building."
Adams spoke to the fact Islam was survived by his parents.
"There is nothing more tragic than having a parent bury their child," the mayor said. "The pain is so immense. It is so intense."
11 AM -- NYPD officers are paying their respects to fallen officer
Thousands of NYPD officers were at the Parkchester Jame Masjid for funeral visitation.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
NYPD officers await the start of the funeral of slain NYPD officer Didarul Islam at Parkchester Jame Masjid on July 31, 2025.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
9:45 AM -- Thousands of officers to attend the funeral
The sun was rising over Parkchester Jame Masjid, off White Plains Road in Parkchester, the Bronx, where thousands of law enforcement officers will gather for the funeral on Thursday.
There are separate viewings for men, women and close friends and family, followed by a prayer service. He will then be buried at a cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey.
9:30 AM -- What to know about NYPD officer
Officer Didarul Islam was the gunman's first victim when he strode into the lobby of the Park Avenue office tower with an AR-15-style rifle at around 6:30 p.m. and immediately opened fire. Islam had been working a department-approved private security detail in uniform at the time.
An immigrant from Bangladesh, Islam had worked his way up the nation's largest police force, serving as a school safety agent before becoming a patrol officer less than four years ago.
He was assigned to a precinct in the Bronx, the city borough where he lived with his wife and two young sons. The couple is also expecting the birth of their third child soon.
"He was doing the job that we asked him to do. He put himself in harm's way. He made the ultimate sacrifice," Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. "He died as he lived. A hero."
Another victim, Julia Hyman, was buried following an emotional service Wednesday at a Manhattan synagogue. The 27-year-old Cornell University graduate had worked for Rudin Management, which owns the building.
Funeral arrangements for the two other victims, security guard Aland Etienne and investment firm executive Wesley LePatner, have not been made public.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
