‘Miracle baby’, conceived after NYC cop was ambushed and killed, gets $20,000 scholarship
The unborn ‘prodigy’ of a slain NYPD officer has received 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 got the money for her unborn child’s future from The First Responders Children’s Foundation, calling it a “blessing” who will keep the memory of her husband alive for years to come.
Luzuriaga announced in January that she fathered a child through in vitro fertilization using her husband’s sperm, which was harvested while he was hospitalized for his untimely death at age 22.
The First Responders Children’s Foundation immediately sprang into action and contacted her about setting up a scholarship for Rivera’s child – who will be born next month.
“This child, baby Rivera, will be able to get a higher education hopefully without too much of a financial burden,” said Jilian Crane, the organization’s CEO and president. New York Post.
We can’t take away the grief. We cannot take away the sadness. But maybe we can take away the financial [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 is pregnant with her slain husband’s child
Luzuriaga fathered a child through in vitro fertilization with her late husband’s sperm. The two are pictured here on their wedding day in 2021
Rivera was only 22 years old when he was shot by a Harlem career criminal. His child now receives a $20,000 college scholarship in his memory
Rivera and his partner Wilbert Mora, 27, were responding to a phone call about a family altercation in a Harlem apartment on Jan. 21, 2022, when they were ambushed by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47.
Both officers were critically shot before another officer, Sumit Sulan, shot and killed the gunman.
Rivera was pronounced dead later that night, while Mora died four days later.
Speaking about the tragic night at her husband’s funeral last year, Luzuriaga said she only learned about Jason’s condition after seeing two officers fatally shot on the Citizen app.
She said she immediately rushed to Harlem Hospital, where the two officers were transported in the aftermath.
“I couldn’t believe you left me. Seeing you lying 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 an emotional eulogy.
“The little bit of hope I had that you’d come back to life just to say goodbye or say ‘I love you’ was gone one more time. I was lost. I’m still lost.’
More than a year later, she tells the Post, it’s still hard to process the loss.
Rivera, right, and his partner Wilbert Mora, 27, left, were responding to a call about a family altercation in a Harlem apartment on January 21, 2022 when they were ambushed by career criminal Lashawn McNeil, 47, 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
Dominique 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 their gloved hands
In January, on the one-year anniversary of her husband’s death, Luzuriaga announced she was pregnant with his child through in vitro fertilization.
“I think Jason would be just as happy if he found 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 nice bouncy curls.” And Jason had dimples.’
She added that she hopes her child is as smart and independent as her husband, commenting: “He’s not here but I can see my baby and think about this baby, he was born of love between him, you know, me and the father. .’
Luzuriaga met Rivera in grade school and the two fell in love in high school. They attended different high schools and colleges, but kept in touch.
They finally got married on October 9, 2021.
Luzuriaga met Rivera in grade school and the two fell in love in high school. They are depicted in an undated photo
The two attended different high schools and colleges, but kept in touch
Luzuriaga and Rivera eventually married on October 9, 2021. The widow says she is grateful for the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the NYPD’s continued support of her growing family
Luzuriaga said she is now grateful for the First Responders Children’s Foundation and the NYPD’s continued support for her growing family.
“I just think about how lucky and how lucky this baby – who wasn’t even born yet – would be [this] to lean on,” she said of the fair.
“Because for me to go to school, it was for me. So to have that financial support and not have to think about it and go to university stress-free is a blessing.”
She also expressed her gratitude to the NYPD for providing services and “being there.”
“They also do a lot of events in honor of both police officers, Jason and Wilbert,” she said. “It always feels good to know he meant something. He wasn’t just a number.’
Luzuriaga specifically cited NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell for standing by her side, noting that the top of the department even showed up at her baby shower on May 5 via Zoom.
“In every important event, she has always made time, even if only for five minutes, to make sure she is there for you and whatever I need,” the widow said of the NYPD commissioner.
“So that’s nice. To have someone who takes care of you and cares about your family in that way. She is always very hospitable and I always appreciate that very much of her.’