In a poignant ceremony held on Thursday, PS 331 in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, was officially renamed the Detective Wenjian Liu School of Civics and Entrepreneurship. The renaming honors Detective Wenjian Liu, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty a decade ago. The event was attended by numerous grieving family members and NYPD officers, who gathered to pay tribute to the fallen hero.
Detective Liu, along with his partner Rafael Ramos, was fatally shot on December 20, 2014, in a brazen act of violence. The two officers were ambushed while sitting in their squad car in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, by an emotionally troubled individual with a deep-seated hatred for law enforcement. Liu’s widow, Sanny Liu, expressed her gratitude for the renaming, stating that it would allow the students of the school to learn about her husband’s story and foster a greater respect for the community.
Despite the joyous occasion, both Sanny Liu and Maritza Ramos, the widow of Detective Ramos, acknowledged that the wounds from the tragic events are still fresh. However, they also highlighted the growth their families have experienced since the senseless slayings. Sanny Liu, who gave birth to their daughter Angelina through artificial insemination two and a half years after her husband’s murder, expressed her excitement that Angelina would attend the elementary school named after her heroic father next year.
The renaming of PS 331 also holds historical significance as it becomes the first public school in New York City to be named after an Asian American. This dedication is particularly meaningful for the Dyker Heights community, which boasts a population that is nearly 60% Asian American. The school’s principal, who is of Taiwanese descent, is fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese, further reflecting the diverse cultural fabric of the neighborhood.
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Did you know that Detective Wenjian Liu was the first Chinese-American NYPD officer to be killed in the line of duty? His dedication and sacrifice are being honored through the renaming of PS 331 in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, as the Detective Wenjian Liu School of Civics and Entrepreneurship.