SHARE

Scores Of Police, NYC Officials Attend Funeral Of Nypd Cop, Ex-Hoop Star

LAGRANGEVILLE, N.Y. -- Scores of police officers and officials joined the family and friends of Michael Williams to pay tribute Thursday to the NYPD officer and son of a longtime Carmel police officer who was killed Sunday following a crash of a police van in the Bronx.

Michael Williams' funeral in LaGrangeville was widely attended by police from New York City and around the region.

Michael Williams' funeral in LaGrangeville was widely attended by police from New York City and around the region.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Funeral services for the late Michael Williams were held Thursday at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in LaGrangeville.

Funeral services for the late Michael Williams were held Thursday at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in LaGrangeville.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Police engage in a flag folding ceremony following the placement of Michael Williams' casket into a hearse.

Police engage in a flag folding ceremony following the placement of Michael Williams' casket into a hearse.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Throngs of visitors attended NYPD cop Michael Williams' funeral in LaGrangeville.

Throngs of visitors attended NYPD cop Michael Williams' funeral in LaGrangeville.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Visiting police stand towards the hearse containing Michael Williams' casket outside of a LaGrangeville church.

Visiting police stand towards the hearse containing Michael Williams' casket outside of a LaGrangeville church.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Scores of police line up near a church in LaGrangeville shortly before the bulk of the funeral services were held.

Scores of police line up near a church in LaGrangeville shortly before the bulk of the funeral services were held.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton exit the church where Michael Williams' funeral took place.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton depart following an outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton depart following an outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Three helicopters fly overhead as folks gather for an outdoor ceremony following indoor funeral services for Michael Williams.

Three helicopters fly overhead as folks gather for an outdoor ceremony following indoor funeral services for Michael Williams.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
A hug is given during the outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

A hug is given during the outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
A hug is given during the outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

A hug is given during the outdoor ceremony for Michael Williams.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Police line up outside of the church in LaGrangeville where Michael Williams' funeral was held.

Police line up outside of the church in LaGrangeville where Michael Williams' funeral was held.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie
Patrick Lynch, PBA President, addresses reports following the funeral of NYPD officer Michael Williams in LaGrangeville.

Patrick Lynch, PBA President, addresses reports following the funeral of NYPD officer Michael Williams in LaGrangeville.

Photo Credit: Tom Auchterlonie

Among those attending funeral services at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Roman Catholic Church in LaGrangeville included New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Police Commissioner William Bratton. Both de Blasio and Bratton spoke during the services. Bratton discussed Williams' goal, which was to become a cop.

The commissioner said that Williams was living his dream while helping to fulfill the dreams of others.

In his remarks, Bratton called Williams a "great guy" and said that he "lead by example." The commissioner recalled times where Williams diffused tensions, both of which involved him using basketball.

Towards the end of his address, Bratton asked for applauding the man's life. The crowd obliged, standing up from the pews and delivering thunderous clapping.

In his remarks, de Blasio noted the relationship between Williams and his father, calling them "best friends" and "inseparable." The mayor also referred to being a cop as Williams' "childhood dream." 

Many police packed the pews inside. Police cars from across the region were spotted.

The 25-year-old Williams was a varsity basketball standout at Arlington High School in Section 1 who went on to play at Keene State University.

Williams was part of the NYPD's 47th Precinct in the Bronx, according to a biography provided.

"The NYPD was his life and he recently joined the Viking Society," it noted.

Williams' father, also named Michael, has served as a police officer in Carmel for more than 30 years.

After remarks and prayers were made inside of the church, a stream of attendees came outside. Williams' flag-draped casket was brought from the church and placed into a hearse. The flag was then folded up in a ceremony and presented. As attendees were outside, a trio of helicopters flew overhead. 

Numerous police were present for the outdoor ceremony, and a bagpipers' group played around the end.

Turnout for the funeral was heavy, with Route 82, a local road, being closed off. A large number of NYPD cops walked on the closed road towards the church.

An interment was scheduled to follow the funeral at Union Valley Cemetery in Mahopac.

 

to follow Daily Voice Briarcliff and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE