February 19, 2019 – In Breaking News – NBC New York
The final farewell to NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen started Monday with a wake at a Long Island church, where police officers arrived en masse to mourn the beloved veteran and say goodbye.
Simonsen’s wake was being held Monday and Tuesday evenings at Saint Rosalie Roman Catholic Church in Hampton Bays. His funeral will take place there on Wednesday morning.
(It’s a somber day for the NYPD after losing one of its own in the line of duty Tuesday night. Det. Brian Simonsen was shot and killed while on the scene of a robbery in Queens. Courtesy of CBS and YouTube. Posted on Feb 13, 2019.)
The 19-year veteran died on Feb. 12 after being hit once in the chest by crossfire as he and six other officers fired 42 shots at suspect Christopher Ransom, who charged toward the entrance of a Queens store and mimicked pulling the trigger of a fake handgun, police said.
“There’s a lot of pain being felt,” said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association union. “You can see the pain etched on people’s faces.”
Simonsen is survived by his wife and mother. His organs were donated after his death.
UPDATE: @NYCMayor and @NYPDONeill deliver remarks on this evening’s police involved shooting in the @nypd102pct in Queens. pic.twitter.com/BsTDnpEiHH
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) February 13, 2019
“This fella was every bit his nickname, Smiles,” said Palladino. “He had a very charismatic personality. Nothing short of a humanitarian.”
An honor guard escorted Simonsen’s body to the church for the wake. Family members were first to arrive, and then hundreds of officers and community members followed, Cardinal Timothy Dolan among them.
“Everybody’s united in prayer for the slain officer, and everybody’s united in bolstering and propping up the wife and family and friends,” said Dolan after the wake.
“That’s what I experienced this evening.”
(Under gray skies early Monday evening, the casket of NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen arrived at the Church of St. Rosalie. Behind the church, it seemed every member of the 102 precinct was present. The 42-year-old detective spent his entire 19-year career in the 102. Courtesy of PIX11 News and YouTube. Posted on Feb 18, 2019.)
Congressman Peter King at the wake called him “an exceptional police officer.”
“He died doing what he loved doing,” he said.
“Unfortunately it turned out the way it did. But thank God we have men like Det. Simonsen.”
Rosemary & I attended wake for murdered NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen at Church of St. Rosalie in Hampton Bays. Overflowing with family, friends and fellow officers. Feelings of tremendous anguish, duty and strength for outstanding family man and heroic cop. Det. Brian Simonsen R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/mvJlQ45nzQ
— Rep. Pete King (@RepPeteKing) February 19, 2019
Continue reading… Mourning Begins for NYPD Detective Killed by Friendly Fire During Robbery
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of NYPD Det. Simonsen, both blood and blue. Thank you for your bravery in serving the citizens of New York City with pride and distinction. You will not be forgotten.
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