When Elsa Ruiz looked into her son's casket Friday, she said, she didn't see the man portrayed in bystander videos that have been endlessly replayed, freeze-framed and picked apart, dying at the hands of a Madison police officer. She didn’t see the man with a lengthy criminal record who suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues.
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The family of Corey Ruiz is joined by the Rev. Al Sharpton, their lawyer, Ben Crump, and other attorneys at the funeral for Ruiz at Fountain of Life Church on Friday.
Veronica Ruiz, sister of Corey Ruiz, wipes away tears while remembering her brother Friday.
From left, attorney Ben Crump, Adam Ruiz and the Rev. Al Sharpton demand “justice for Corey” at the funeral for Corey Ruiz, who was fatally shot by a Madison police officer after the two struggled over a knife.
Attendants greet mourners as they enter for the funeral for Corey Ruiz at Fountain of Life Church Friday.
The Rev. Al Sharpton addresses the media ahead of Friday’s funeral. “No policeman can justify that tape that I saw,” Sharpton said of the bystander videos showing police struggling to subdue Ruiz before shooting him.
Corey Ruiz’s sister Veronica Ruiz, center, hugs her mother, Elsa, after a eulogy by the Rev. Al Sharpton.
Rev. Al Sharpton points to the casket of Corey Ruiz as he delivers a eulogy.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, Elsa Ruiz and attorney Ben Crump speak before the funeral for Corey Ruiz on Friday.
Photos: Hundreds gather to remember Corey Ruiz at vigil
Jaxon Rose, 11, who was visiting family in Madison, sits on a stoplight pole during Thursday evening's vigil for Corey Ruiz at the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets.
Mourners take a moment at a memorial to honor Corey Ruiz, who was shot and killed by police the day before at the intersection of Williamson St. and S. Baldwin St. on Thursday, July 23, 2026 in Madison, Wis. OWEN ZILIAK, STATE JOURNAL
People gather for Thursday evening's vigil for Corey Ruiz at the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets.
Protesters wave their hands as they gather for Thursday evening.
A vigil for Corey Ruiz, who was shot and killed by police, drew hundreds to the intersection of Williamson and South Baldwin streets.
A person waves a “Black Lives Matter” flag from a stoplight.
A person holds up a sign reading “All Eyes on MPD” during the vigil for Corey Ruiz.
Messages written in chalk cover South Baldwin Street.
People protest during a vigil for Corey Ruiz, who was shot and killed by police a day earlier.
Dan Slick, a local artist, sketches the scene.
