High School Of Fallen NYPD Hero Retires Baseball Jersey

RIVERHEAD, NY — In a heartfelt tribute to fallen New York Police Department Detective Brian Simonsen, the Riverhead Blue Waves baseball team honored his memory Tuesday by playing a game in his honor— and retiring his jersey, No. 21.

Simonsen, who graduated from Riverhead High School in 1995, played baseball and football for the Waves.

In an emotional pregame ceremony, Simonsen’s family, school officials and the Blue Waves gathered to retire his jersey, No. 21, and unveil a granite memorial bearing his number. His mother, Linda, and widow, Leanne Simonsen, threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Simonsen, a 19-year NYPD veteran, was killed during a robbery at a T-Mobile store in Queens in February.

(DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Homes)

A heartbroken community continues to pay tribute to Simonsen.

The Riverhead Town Board voted on April 16, 2019 to honor Simonsen by renaming South Jamesport Avenue, the street he grew up on, in recognition of his sacrifice. A dedication ceremony will be held on June 15 at 1 p.m. at the corner of Main Road and South Jamesport Avenue on the lawn of the George Young Community Center.

Tearful tributes and solemn ceremonies have marked the tragic ending of Simonsen's life on February 12.

Simonsen, of Calverton, left a long legacy and trail of tears when he died. His dear friend Anthony Carella has created a beautiful, moving and heartfelt video to honor a life lost far too soon.

"Brian Simonsen was my next door neighbor and a close friend to my family," Carella said.

Carella shared precious memories of his friend.

"Brian had a beautiful uplifting soul, always celebrating life. His door was always open to his family, friends and neighbors. He loved to be in the company of people. The more, the merrier. He had a way of connecting with people and it seemed like everybody knew him when we were out in public. 'Smiles' was his nickname, and it suit him well. The memories we've shared together throughout the years are priceless," he said.

"Brian's pool parties, barbecues, sport events and conversations by the yard fire pit with family, friends and neighbors will never be forgotten." He added: "We were lucky to have him as a neighbor and all those around him would agree, as Brian would often say, I agree 'One thousand percent!' Brian 'Smiles' Simonsen will be missed by all."

Tributes have poured in from wide and far: Frigid cold did nothing to deter the thousands who converged upon Hampton Bays to pay their respects. They began arriving in the early morning hours — a steady stream of police vehicles, lights flashing, lined all roadways leading into Hampton Bays from all directions and packed the roadways even hours after as the funeral procession brought Simonsen to his final resting place at the Jamesport cemetery.

Along Route 25 in Jamesport and Montauk Hwy. in Hampton Bays, blue and black ribbons were tied around trees in thankful tribute, and American flags waved proudly in the chill morning air.
Buses brought mourners, including a "Blue Waves" bus from Riverhead High School, where Simonsen graduated in 1995.

Simonsen was also honored in his hometown of Riverhead — originally from South Jamesport, he graduated from Riverhead High School — and on the North Fork, with ribbons and flags lining the way to the Jamesport Cemetery, where was laid to rest, and scores of friends and loved ones paying tribute.

After his death, police cars from far and wide, as well as firetrucks, lined the roadways and highways on Long Island as a trail of blue tears led a fallen hero home, when Simonsen was brought back to the East End in a cortege to the North Fork's DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

The heartbroken community has been cloaked in mourning as friends, loved ones and officials remembered Simonsen, a man who dedicated his life to helping others.

"Detective Simonsen, nicknamed 'Smiles, was well known for his warm personality, and his ability to put a smile on anyone's face," said Riverhead Town officials.