A “miracle” Hispanic baby about to be born received a $20,000 college scholarship to help secure his future: he is the son of NYPD police officer Jason Rivera, who was murdered last year in Harlem (NYC) along with his partner Wilbert Mora.
The posthumous father’s widow, Dominique Luzuriaga Rivera, told the New York Post that the generous gift of “The First Responders Children’s Foundation” is “a blessing” that will help keep the memory of her hero husband alive for years to come.
The baby, who is due to be born on June 5, was conceived through in vitro fertilization months after his father’s death. “It’s amazing,” the mother said of the gift. “I just think about how lucky this baby is, that it hasn’t even been born, and will have [esto] to lean on.”
“Because for me going to school… it was difficult,” she added, without wanting to announce whether she is expecting a boy or a girl. “So to have that financial support and not think about that part and go to college without stress, it’s a blessing…I couldn’t be more grateful.”
The pregnant widow gave particular credit to NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell for standing by her since her husband’s death. “Whatever major event there’s been, she’s always taken the time, even if it’s just for 5 minutes, to attend, to make sure she’s there for you and whatever she needs,” she said.
Rivera was a 22-year-old New York police rookie. He and Mora (27) responded to a domestic disturbance call in Harlem on January 21, 2022 and were ambushed upon arrival by Lashawn McNeil.
Both Hispanic police officers were shot that afternoon. Sumit Sulan, another young officer present at the ambush, shot gunman McNeil, a 47-year-old ex-con, who died three days later in the hospital. The case prompted the visit of President Joe Biden to New York to participate in the funerals, calling the three NYPD agents involved “heroes”.
A year later, in January 2023, Rivera’s widow announced at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC that she would be a mother in the coming months, thanks to a medical “miracle”, as she became pregnant using her late husband’s frozen semen.
Meanwhile, Mora has also prolonged his life, as five of his organs were donated, including his heart.