A New York City police detective killed by friendly fire while responding to a chaotic robbery scene was hailed at his funeral on Wednesday as a consummate law enforcer with people skills befitting his lifelong nickname: “Smiles.”
Brian Simonsen , whose posthumous promotion to detective first grade prompted a lengthy standing ovation in a crowded Long Island church, was shot in the chest on Feb. 12 outside of a cellphone store in Queens.
He and six other officers opened fire on a robbery suspect who police say was pointing what appeared to be a handgun. Simonsen’s partner, Sgt. Matthew Gorman , was hit in the leg and arrived at the funeral in a wheelchair.
“The only two people responsible for Brian’s death, the only two, are the career criminals” involved in the robbery, Police Commissioner James O’Neill said firmly, delivering a eulogy in a voice sometimes choked with emotion.
“We honor Brian’s memory when we pick up where he left off. We won’t ever finish his work, but the respect is in the effort. It’s in hearing that call for help, and answering it.” –@NYPDoneill
Rest easy Brian, we’ll take it from here. pic.twitter.com/HiGpIBNhlq
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 21, 2019
To the devastated men and women of the 102nd Precinct, where Simonsen worked, and to officers around the city, O’Neill said: “Thank you for your dedication.”
“Always remember who you are, what you do and why you do it,” he said. “Continue to be proud of that” while honoring Simonsen’s legacy.
In his 19-year career, Simonsen made nearly 600 arrests, most of them for felonies. “He was exceedingly good at his job,” said O’Neill, “making connections with the evidence” and also reconnecting crime victims “with the hope that was stolen from them.”
On the night he was shot, Simonsen should have been off for a union meeting. But he opted to go to work so he could continue tracking a string of recent robberies.
“It was never just a job for him,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
The mayor related a story about Simonsen soothing a crime victim who’d fought off an intruder. She cried on his shoulder so long that his shirt was soaked with her tears.
On Wednesday, the tears of many were evident at the Roman Catholic Church of St. Rosalie in Hampton Bays.
Simonsen and his wife, Leanne, a nurse, lived in Calverton, near the Long Island community where he grew up. Neighborhood kids knew him as “Uncle Brian.”
“Smiles, he should have been the mayor. He was the glue. … He just loved everyone,” said Melissa Weir, who had known him since high school.
“There’s a lot of people who are hurting,” Weir said outside the church. “Last night, I screamed in my car.”
“You don’t want any of our police to end up that way. But why him? … A good guy, such a larger-than-life personality,” she said. “A stand-up guy.”
Tonight New York City is united in our grief over the loss of NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen. I ask every New Yorker, if you see a police officer, please offer them condolences as you would to someone who has lost a family member — because they have. pic.twitter.com/88tRCYqKxp
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) February 21, 2019
Join us in a moment of silence as we pay tribute to Detective Brian Simonsen. pic.twitter.com/oSNDVaMKvr
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 20, 2019
As the family of Detective First Grade Brian Simonsen lays our hero to rest, the men and women in blue stand with them — today and always. The NYPD will carry on in Brian’s name as we uphold our vow to #NeverForget. pic.twitter.com/SqHFqcU6sD
— Chief Terence Monahan (@NYPDChiefofDept) February 20, 2019
They are the very best among us. They are the #NYPD. And they will always be there, fighting against violence, against brutality, against cruelty & against anyone who wishes you harm. They do this for you. They do it for everyone you care about. They do it for Brian. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/prZ0988zQB
— Commissioner O’Neill (@NYPDONeill) February 20, 2019
Detective Brian Simonsen
End of watch: 2/12/19
We will #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/Z4zdmgikOp
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 20, 2019
Detective Brian Simonsen represented what it means to be a great cop — to go beyond the call of duty. Today, we mourn the loss of a hero who went in harm’s way & celebrate a life dedicated to service. We’ll forever be indebted to Brian & his family. The NYPD will #NeverForget. pic.twitter.com/s5ixEDP1Zo
— Chief Terence Monahan (@NYPDChiefofDept) February 20, 2019
(AP)
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2 Responses
deblasio is such a phony, he could care less about the police
BDE, men like him would risk their lives for us in any circumstance. It is humbling to meet them and it is heart breaking to read this. I got choked up just now. So awful.