BRUNSWICK

One of two New York City police officers killed Saturday is the father of a Bowdoin College student.

Officer Rafael Ramos is the parent of Justin Ramos, class of 2017. Justin Ramos is now with his family in New York, according to the college.

In a message to the Bowdoin College community, outgoing Bowdoin president Barry Mills wrote on Sunday: “This is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts go out to Justin and his family. We are a close community, and we share in Justin’s pain and anguish. I know you join me in offering heartfelt condolences to Justin and the entire Ramos family, and I am sure you will respect their privacy as they and we support one another in the days and weeks ahead.”

Fall semester exams at the college ended just last week.

Bowdoin College spokesman Doug Cook said it is too soon to say whether or not the student would be returning for the next semester. Classes start up again Jan. 19.

“We are eager to welcome Justin back to campus for the start of our second semester in January, or whenever he is ready to return, and we will do everything we can to support him through this period. In the meantime, we will respect his privacy and that of his family as they deal with this terrible loss,” Cook wrote.

Cook continued: “At President Mills’s direction, Dean Tim Foster informed Justin early Sunday morning that the college will provide full financial aid to enable him to complete his Bowdoin education. This is in keeping with our practice of meeting the full financial need of each of our students for all four years. We are grateful for the Yankee Silver Shield Foundation’s offer to assist, but Bowdoin has it covered.”

Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu were in their patrol car in Brooklyn Saturday afternoon when they were gunned down by 28- year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, in retaliation for the slayings of black men at the hands of white police, according to the Associated Press. Brinsley then shot himself to death at a nearby subway station after being pursued.

The AP reported that Brinsley had a criminal record, reportedly had hatred for police and the government and apparent history of mental instability with 19 previous arrests and a troubled, violent childhood.

The AP reported that hours before shooting the officers, Brinsley had shot and wounded his ex-girlfriend, Shaneka Thompson, at her home in Baltimore.

The killings of the officers have been condemned nationwide, including by President Obama and the Rev. Al Sharpton.

New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo visted the Ramos family at their home, according to the New York Newsday.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Officer Ramos 40, father of two, was “portrayed as a devoted father, and a pious man” at remembrance in Brooklyn over the weekend. He was scheduled to graduate Saturday afternoon from a community-crisis chaplaincy program.

According to the AP, Ramos’ 13-year-old son, Jaden, said in a Facebook post that Saturday was the worst day of his life.

“Today I had to say bye to my father,” Jaden wrote. “He was the best father I could ask for. It’s horrible that someone gets shot dead just for being a police officer. Everyone says they hate cops but they are the people that they call for help.”

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