Also present was Politkovskaya's 28-year-old son, Ilya Politkovsky.
After the meeting, which took place at Rice's Moscow hotel, Politkovsky said he appreciated Rice's comments about his mother's courage and the tragedy of her loss.
Earlier today, Rice called Politkovskaya a "well-respected journalist" and told reporters traveling with her that the fate of reporters in Russia is a "major concern."
Rice is expected to raise the case when she meets with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin called Politkovskaya's murder a "disgustingly cruel crime," but said her "ability to influence political life in Russia was extremely insignificant."
Politkovskaya investigated Russian corruption and human rights abuses, particularly in Chechnya.
No arrests have been made in her murder, a suspected contract killing.
Politkovskaya is the 13th Russian journalist believed to have been slain by hired killers since Putin came to power in 2000.
(Reuters, AFP)