Charity Seeks To Pay Mortgages Of Slain NYPD Officers

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation hopes to raise an additional $275,000 by New Year's Day. Notable donors include Rudy Giuliani and Jeb Bush.

A New York charity is hoping to raise $275,000 by New Year's Day to pay the mortgages of slain NYPD officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has already raised $525,000 to support the families of the officers, who died after they were ambushed on Dec. 20. Gunman Ismaaiyl Brinsley then killed himself.

The fund, created in honor of a firefighter who died on Sept. 11, 2001, launched its campaign earlier this month. Notable donors include Rudy Giuliani and Jeb Bush, who the fund announced on Wednesday gave $10,000. More than 4,500 other people have also donated.

"Not only do we want to purchase the two homes so that the officers' families will have peace of mind in the new year, but we believe this will show them how deeply Americans honor the heroism and sacrifice of their loved ones," fund Chairman Frank Siller said in a statement.

Liu, 32, was recently married to Pei Xia Chen.

Ramos is survived his sons Justin and Jaden, as well as his wife, Maritza Ramos.

The fundraiser was one of several shows of support for the officers' families by New Yorkers and people around the country.

Both officers were posthumously promoted to detective, an honorary promotion that provides family members with more benefits, the New York Times reported.

On Wednesday, the city also announced that two Brooklyn streets would be named in honor of the officers. Ridgewood Avenue between Shepherd Avenue and Highland Place will be co-named Detective Rafael Ramos Way. West 6th Street between Avenue S and Avenue T will be co-named Detective Wenjian Liu Way. Both locations represent the officers' homes and were chosen by the families, according to the city. Legislation to make the names official will be presented to the City Council in January.

The New York Daily News and Mayor Bill de Blasio have also raised money through funds for the officers' families.

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