Robert De Niro encourages New Yorkers to help the families of two murdered police officers

Robert De Niro is more than just an Oscar winner; he is also a hero in his own way.

Recently the actor reached out to residents of New York to pitch in the help fund started by readers of the Daily News for the benefit of the families of the recently slain officers' Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos.

"It's not only our brave policemen and women who sacrifice for us, it's also their families. They've done their duty, and now it's time to do ours," according to an interview De Niro had with the Daily News.

The amount contributed through PayPal and mail is $242,503 and is still counting. The biggest donation was $10,000 given through an anonymous donation while other came in denominations of $5, $10 or $20. Businesses such as the Brooklyn Nets, Associated Food Stores and Modell's Sporting Goods also pitched in.

 The two officers were ambushed and killed in action and in broad daylight last December 20, just a few days before Christmas, at Bedford-Stuyvesant by a killer whose motive was to kill police officers.

32-year-old Liu recently said "I do" three months before he was killed and was supporting a large extended family while 40-year-old Ramos left a wife and two teenage sons.

Following the stream of contributions from kind souls all over, De Niro did not fail to thank those who have taken the time to donate what they can. "At times like these, New Yorkers know what to do. Thank you for joining me in contributing to the Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos' families," quotes the Washington Times from an interview with the New York Daily News.