The NYPD is encouraging its rookie officers to continue to protect and serve in the wake of yet another deadly attack on a member of the department.

As News 12 has reported, a gunman ambushed and killed Officer Miosotis Familia, 48, as she sat in a marked vehicle early Wednesday morning. A day later, the latest fresh group of recruits joined the force.

In a ceremony at the city's police academy, 500 new recruits were sworn into the department. Commissioner James O'Neill delivered a speech, acknowledging Wednesday's tragedy while encouraging the new crop of officers that they had made the "right decision."

"Days like we had yesterday, when pain and grief push you down to a point you are not sure if you can get back up -- you will get back up," O'Neill told the graduates. "You get back up because the work of police Officer Miosotis Familia is not finished. You get back up because it's our job to finish it."