National News

In Death, Officer Mora Gave Life to Others

At the wishes of Gilbert Mora and his family, his organs were donated to patients in need of transplants. (Photo: NYPD)

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Police officer Wilbert Mora, the second cop to die in the Harlem shooting that killed Det. Jason Rivera, was generous in death.

According to LiveOnNY, an organization that works to find vital organs for patients in need, Mora’s heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys were donated after he was removed from life support at NYU Langone Health, thus saving the lives of five people.

Three of the transplant recipients are from New York State, while two live outside the state.

LiveOnNY President Leonard Achan praised the late officer’s generosity, calling his organ donation, “a heroic gift.”

“We are humbled and honored to be the stewards of these gifts on behalf of Officer Mora and his family so that others might live,” Achan said in a statement.

Prior to entering the police academy, Mora studied at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Mora, 27, who lived in East Harlem, joined the NYPD in 2018 and was assigned to the 32nd Precinct. Known as a humble individual, he quickly established himself as a hard worker, his fellow police officers told reporters. In his brief, four-year career, he made 33 arrests.

“Police Officer Mora showed us what it means to carry out our mission with courage, skill, and humanity,” said Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch.

At Mora’s funeral on Feb. 2, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced that she was promoting him to detective.

Neighbors in Mora’s East Harlem apartment house paid tribute to their fallen friend by leaving a handwritten note on a wall in the building.

“You are an angel of God now and you will always be loved and missed,”  the note read. “We hold a special place in our heart for you.”