Massive show of support at wake services for fallen detective

Family, friends and fellow officers continued saying their goodbyes Tuesday to the NYPD detective from Calverton killed in the line of duty.

News 12 Staff

Feb 19, 2019, 4:32 PM

Updated 1,900 days ago

Share:

Massive show of support at wake services for fallen detective
Family, friends and fellow officers continued saying their goodbyes Tuesday to the NYPD detective from Calverton killed in the line of duty.
Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays was lined with people waiting in the bitter cold to go inside the Church of St. Rosalie to pay their respects to Detective Brian Simonsen. He was killed last week during a friendly fire incident in Queens.
Among those present was Sanny Liu, the widow of NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu, who was fatally shot in his police cruiser in 2014.
"They are not alone," she said, referring to Simonsen's family. "We will always be with them."
Simonsen's partner, NYPD Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was shot in the leg during the incident. The Seaford man was seen in a wheelchair.
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also attended Tuesday's service. Police representatives from cities like Boston paid their respects.
A 19-year veteran of the force, Simonsen had hundreds of arrests on record and is being remembered as having a huge heart.
City PBA President Patrick Lynch urged people to not forget Simonsen's family once the services conclude.
Simonsen's funeral will be Wednesday. Road closures in the Hamptons Bays area are expected from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Affected roads include Montauk Highway, Squiretown Road and Ponquogue Avenue.
 
 


More from News 12
2:07
SUNY Purchase students 'scared to go outside' after college police raid encampment

SUNY Purchase students 'scared to go outside' after college police raid encampment

1:49
Afternoon showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; batches of light rain for Sunday

Afternoon showers for Saturday in the Hudson Valley; batches of light rain for Sunday

1:39
Police: 133 arrested during growing pro-Palestinian demonstration on SUNY New Paltz campus

Police: 133 arrested during growing pro-Palestinian demonstration on SUNY New Paltz campus

0:46
Driver crashes into Yonkers dry cleaning business

Driver crashes into Yonkers dry cleaning business

0:20
Police corral horse on the loose in New Rochelle

Police corral horse on the loose in New Rochelle

0:47
State officials: $11M in funding allocated for flood mitigation projects in Mamaroneck

State officials: $11M in funding allocated for flood mitigation projects in Mamaroneck

0:58
Report: More people going hungry in NY despite economic growth

Report: More people going hungry in NY despite economic growth

0:27
Westchester's NCADD honors News 12's Jonathan Gordon with 'humanitarian award'

Westchester's NCADD honors News 12's Jonathan Gordon with 'humanitarian award'

1:01
Monticello police sergeant alleges retaliation for working with prosecutors to arrest ex-officer

Monticello police sergeant alleges retaliation for working with prosecutors to arrest ex-officer

3:21
Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

Bridge over section of I-95 in process of being demolished due to damage from truck fire

0:33
Volunteer firefighter dies in Tuxedo motorcycle crash

Volunteer firefighter dies in Tuxedo motorcycle crash

0:30
Ex-Brewster village officer sentenced for protecting prostitution businesses

Ex-Brewster village officer sentenced for protecting prostitution businesses

0:41
Police: Child sustained minor injuries when struck by on-duty Monticello police officer

Police: Child sustained minor injuries when struck by on-duty Monticello police officer

0:32
Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

Rep. Ryan calls for planned Central Hudson rate increase to be denied

0:21
Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

Yonkers Art unveils 2 new exhibits ahead of weekend festival

1:26
Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

Look up! Annual Eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks early Sunday morning

0:33
Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

Dobbs Ferry man facing federal charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition

1:47
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

EXCLUSIVE: Ex-Monticello officer who admitted to sex assault of underage teen reinstated to department after arrest

1:44
Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

Poughkeepsie leaders ask public for help to find troubled teens before tragedy strikes

0:23
Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester

Overnight road work to close Exit 7 on Cross County Parkway in Westchester