A pint-sized aspiring cop paid tribute Sunday to slain NYPD cop Jason Rivera – saying he wanted to be a “hero” just like the tragic rookie officer.
Ivis Alvarez, 7, donned his police officer Halloween costume at the memorial for Rivera outside Harlem’s 32nd Precinct — two days after the 22-year-old rookie was killed in the line of duty during a domestic call Friday, News 12 reporter Mary-Lyn Buckley tweeted Sunday.
“He said he wants to ‘be a hero just like Officer Rivera,’” Buckley wrote.
The Police Benevolent Association retweeted the photo
and said the touching image shows “why Police Officer Jason Rivera will never be forgotten.”
“He was a hero,” the PBA wrote. “Officer Rivera’s sacrifice for New Yorkers will be his legacy that inspires the next generation of NYC police officers, our heroes. #BacktheBlue”
Rivera’s police partner Wilbert Mora, 27, who was also ambushed with gunfire during the Friday incident, continued to fight for his life Monday morning at NYU Langone Medical Center – where he was transferred Sunday.
Crazed career criminal Lawshawn McNeil, 47 – who opened fire at the cops – was also left in critical condition when Officer Sumit Sulan, 27, fired back at him.