The unborn ‘miracle’ child of a slain NYPD officer has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship.
Dominique Luzuriaga Rivera, the widow of rookie officer Jason Rivera who was shot and killed by a career criminal in 2022, said she received the money for her unborn child’s future from the First Responders Children’s Foundation, calling it a “blessing” that will keep her husband’s memory alive for years to come.
Luzuriaga announced in January that she had conceived a child through in vitro fertilization using her husband’s sperm, which had been harvested while he was in hospital before his untimely death at the age of 22.
The First Responders Children’s Foundation immediately stepped in and contacted her to create a scholarship for Rivera’s child, who is due next month.
“This child, baby Rivera, will be able to pursue higher education without, hopefully, too much of a financial burden,” said Jilian Crane, CEO and President of the organization. New York Post.
“We can’t take away the grief. We cannot remove grief. But maybe we can take the financial out [strain].’
Dominique Luzuriaga Rivera, the widow of rookie officer Jason Rivera who was shot and killed by a career criminal last year, announced in January that she was pregnant with her slain husband’s child.
Luzuriaga conceived a child through in vitro fertilization using her late husband’s sperm. The two are pictured here on their wedding day in 2021
Rivera was just 22 when he was shot by a career criminal in Harlem. Her child is now receiving a $20,000 scholarship in her memory
Rivera and her partner Wilbert Mora, 27, were responding to a call about a family dispute in a Harlem apartment on Jan. 21, 2022, when they were ambushed by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47.
Both officers were seriously shot before another officer, Sumit Sulan, shot and killed the shooter.
Rivera was pronounced dead later that night, while Mora died four days later.
Speaking about the tragic night of her husband’s funeral last year, Luzuriaga said she only found out about Jason’s condition after seeing two officers had been shot and killed on the Citizen app.
She said she immediately rushed to Harlem Hospital, where the two officers were later transported.
“I couldn’t believe you left me. Seeing you in a hospital bed, wrapped in sheets, not hearing you when I was talking to you broke me. I asked why. I told you, “Wake up, baby. I’m here,” Luzuriaga said in a eulogy.
‘The little hope I had that you would come back to life, just to say goodbye or say “I love you”, once again was gone. I was lost. I am still lost.
More than a year later, she told the Post, it’s still hard to come to terms with the loss.
Rivera, right, and his partner Wilbert Mora, 27, left, were responding to a call about a family dispute in a Harlem apartment on January 21, 2022 when they were ambushed by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47 years old, and fatally shot.
The young widow wore a silver pendant in the shape of her husband’s police shield as she attended her husband’s funeral at St Patrick’s Cathedral a week after his murder.
Dominica rocked the flag from his coffin as he watched the funeral procession leave St. Patrick’s Cathedral
An onlooker at last year’s funeral held a framed photo of Rivera in his gloved hands
In January, on the first anniversary of her husband’s death, Luzuriaga announced that she was pregnant with his child through in vitro fertilization.
“I think Jason would be just as happy to find out,” she said.
“He told me he likes my hair because my hair is straight. But I like his hair because it’s curly. I was like, ‘I hope the baby comes out with curly hair and he’ll have nice bouncy curls.” And Jason had dimples.
She added that she hopes her child is as smart and independent as her husband, noting: ‘He’s not here, but I can see my baby and think of this baby was created by the love between him, you know, me and the father.’
Luzuriaga met Rivera in elementary school and the two fell in love with the puppies in middle school. They went to different high schools and colleges, but kept in touch.
They finally got married on October 9, 2021.
Luzuriaga met Rivera in elementary school and the two fell in love with the puppies in middle school. They are pictured in an undated photo
The two went to different high schools and colleges but kept in touch
Luzuriaga and Rivera were finally married on October 9, 2021. The widow says she is grateful to the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the NYPD’s continued support of her growing family.
Luzuriaga said she is now grateful to the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the NYPD’s continued support of her growing family.
“I just think how lucky and lucky this baby – who hasn’t even been born – would be. [this] lean on,” she said of the scholarship.
‘Because for me to go to school was for me. So having that financial support and not thinking about that part and going to college stress-free is a blessing.
She also expressed gratitude to the NYPD for providing services and “being there.”
“They also have many events in honor of the two police officers, Jason and Wilbert,” she said. “It always feels good to know he meant something. It wasn’t just a number.
Luzuriaga specifically cited NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell for standing by her side, noting that the department’s top brass even appeared at her baby shower via Zoom on May 5.
“Any important event there was, she always took the time, even if it was just for five minutes, to make sure she was there for you and anything I needed,” the widow said of the NYPD commissioner.
‘So it’s good. To have someone to look after you in this way and to care about your family. She is always very welcoming and I always really appreciate that from her.
