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Tens of thousands of police from cities across the US filled a New York City church and nearby streets on Saturday for the funeral of police officer Rafael Ramos.
He was one of two officers shot by a man who claimed that he was avenging the killing of unarmed black men by police.
The service for Mr Ramos was one of the largest police funerals in the city’s history, with US Vice-President Joe Biden among the dignitaries.
But the ceremony was marked by an unusual protest against Mayor Bill de Blasio.
As he rose to deliver the customary mayoral eulogy, thousands of uniformed officers outside silently turned their backs on him in a pointed display of disrespect.
Angered by the mayor’s sympathy for nationwide demonstrations urging police reform, some New York police officers had similarly shunned Mr de Blasio as he arrived a week ago at the hospital where Mr Ramos and his partner Wenjian Liu were declared dead.
And on Friday, a plane hauled a banner through the city’s airspace attacking the mayor, reading: “De Blasio, our backs have turned to you.”
Former officer turned right-wing activist John Cardillo said retired and current officers paid to have the banner flown.
The police deaths followed protests around the country over the killing of black men at the hands of white officers.
New York police unions have blamed Mr de Blasio for allowing protests that foster anti-police sentiment.
The slaying of the two officers as they sat in their car has become a rallying point for police and their supporters around the country, beleaguered by months of street protests accusing the police of racism.
Mr Biden made a speech designed to close the growing divide between police and the black community.
“I believe that this great police force of this incredibly diverse city can and will show the nation how to bridge any divide,” he said during the service at Christ Tabernacle Church in suburban Queens.
Streets outside the church were filled for blocks with officers in blue uniform, including delegations from Boston, Atlanta, St Louis and New Orleans.
