NYPD officer's widow speaks out on husband's murder

New York City's mayor Bill de Blasio said protests and debates over police violence need to stop until two murdered policemen are laid to rest. Some protest organizers are already ignoring his request, accusing him of trying to stifle free speech.

In Brooklyn, the memorial for Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos continues to grow by the hour and now almost reaches the site of the murders. Family members of the slain officers have also spoken out about the loved ones they lost, reports CBS News correspondent Don Dahler.

Walking slowly down the steps of her Brooklyn home, the widow of Officer Wenjian Liu gathered herself and spoke of the husband she married just two months ago.

"This is a difficult time for both of our families, but we will stand together and get through this together," Pei Xia Chen said.

She also thanked the community for its support.

"We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to the police department, our neighbors and the entire New York City community, friends and co-workers for the help and support they provide," Chen said.

The embattled New York City mayor, who has been criticized by police for supporting the demonstrators, visited the homes of both slain officers yesterday and called for any protests to temporarily cease.

"All I can say is this is a time for every New Yorker to think about these families, to put aside protests, put aside demonstrations until these funerals are passed. Let's focus just on these families and what they have lost," de Blasio said.

At a news conference with Police Commissioner William Bratton, de Blasio defended the rights of peaceful protesters and said the media was creating divisions by focusing on protesters who are hateful or violent.

"What you managed to do is pull up the few who do not represent the majority, who are saying unacceptable things, who shouldn't be saying those things, and some who actually physically attack police offers, which I've said is absolutely unacceptable," de Blasio said.

Commissioner Bratton tried to tone down the anger directed towards the mayor by many of his officers.

"Can you point out to me one mayor that has not been battling with the police unions in the last 50 years? Name one," Bratton said. "So the experience of this mayor in terms of some cops not liking him, that's nothing new."

Newly released surveillance video showed Ismaaiyl Brinsley inside a Brooklyn shopping mall around noon Saturday, hours before police say Brinsley fired at close range into the officer's parked patrol car.

"We're going to be looking for additional assistance from the public. We have some gaps as to his activity," Bratton said. "The investigation we have conducted so far leads us to believe he acted alone."

Police believe he acted out of vengeance for the recent deaths of black men during police encounters. Investigators have recovered two cell phones Brinsley used to post 119 messages on social media, including some anti-government rants.

A funeral service for officer Ramos has been planned for Saturday. The NYPD is making arrangements to bring the relatives of officer Liu from China, so they can plan a funeral service for him.