I had the honor of being trusted to document the funeral of Detective Wenjian Liu on Sunday in Brooklyn for The New York Times. It was a difficult occasion for everyone involved and a difficult assignment but I was thankful to be working alongside a team of photographers and editors who chronicled the event with poise. Here is the story and slideshow. And, below is my take from the day. I was positioned for much of the afternoon on the balcony of some very gracious residents and I'm thankful to them for letting me into their home on a tough day.

New York Police Department Officer Jude Delva, who is part of the department's ceremonial unit, puts on his white gloves as officials make preparations for the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu outside the Aievoli Funeral Home on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Officials with the New York Police Department make preparations for the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Officials with the New York Police Department make preparations for the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu outside the Aievoli Funeral Home on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

A New York Police Department officer dons a black band across his badge on a rainy morning as officials make preparations for the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu outside the Aievoli Funeral Home on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Groups of New York Police Department officers arrive at the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Residents look on as police officers begin to line the street prior to the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Two limousines arrive as part of a motorcade headed to the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu outside the Aievoli Funeral Home on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Community members watch as a funeral procession passes by for NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Groups of New York Police Department officers turned their backs as Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during the funeral of NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Officers from the New York Police Department stand at attention during a funeral procession for NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times

Nine-year-old Brandon Gonzalez salutes as a funeral procession passes by for NYPD Officer Wenjian Liu on 65th Street in Brooklyn. Mr. Liu was killed while on duty in December 2014 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. CREDIT: Sam Hodgson for The New York Times