Man Sentenced To 33 Years For Death Of NYPD Det. Simonsen: DA

RIVERHEAD, NY — A man was sentenced to 33 years in prison on Wednesday for his role in the death of NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen, who lived in Calverton.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said that Christopher Ransom, 30, was sentenced after pleading guilty to aggravated manslaughter and robbery after the February 2019 hold up of a mobile phone store, which resulted in Simonsen's death by friendly fire.

He also pleaded guilty to another cell phone store robbery which occurred on February 8, 2019, Katz said.

“My hope is that the family of Detective Brian Simonsen may finally have some closure with the sentencing of this defendant. His lawless, selfish behavior set the terrible events of that day in motion. He committed one of several robberies and terrified the employees of that cell phone store before drawing the fire of police. The heartbreaking result was the loss Detective Simonsen and the injury of Sergeant Matthew Gorman," Katz said.

Ransom, formerly of St. John’s Place in Brooklyn, pleaded guilty last month to aggravated manslaughter in the second degree and robbery in the first degree before Queens Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder, Katz said.

Justice Holder imposed a sentence of 33 years in prison to be followed by five years’ post-release supervision.

According to court records, on February 12, 2019, Ransom and Jagger Freeman, 25, arrived at a Richmond Hill T-Mobile store on 120th Street shortly after 6 p.m. Ransom ordered the two employees inside to surrender cash and merchandise while brandishing what appeared to be a black pistol, Katz said.

Ransom had corralled the employees in a back room of the store when police arrived; he pointed the fake pistol at the arriving police officers, Katz said.

In response, the officers discharged their weapons, Katz said.

Simonsen, a 19-year-veteran of the NYPD, was fatally shot once in the torso, Katz said. He was 42 years old. Sergeant Matthew Gorman was seriously injured with a bullet wound to his left leg, and has recovered.

A devastated East End community, which opened its hearts to thousands for Simonsen's funeral of fallen NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen, who lived in Calverton, continues to remember his legacy.

"Today the individual responsible for the death of our beloved hero, Detective Brian Simonsen, also known as 'Smiles,' was sentenced to 33 years in prison," New York State Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio said. "Although the 33 year sentence will not bring back Brian, I hope the Simonsen/Peterson family, Brian’s friends and his brothers and sisters of the NYPD/Detectives' Endowment Association receive some type of closure. I’d like to personally express my admiration for Brian’s wife Leanne. Leanne is so strong and has dedicated so much to ensure Brian’s memory is preserved in our hearts forever."

Simonsen grew up in Jamesport and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1995. He later moved to Calverton where he lived with his wife Leanne. Simonsen was well known for his warm personality and his ability to put a smile on anyone's face, Riverhead Town officials said.

He was survived by his wife Leanne, mother Linda Simonsen, and grandfather Vernon Petersen.

Simonsen, of Calverton, left a long legacy and a heartbroken trail of tears when he died. His dear friend Anthony Carella 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. "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 poured in from wide and far: Frigid cold did nothing to deter the thousands who converged upon Hampton Bays to pay their respects at Simonsen's funeral. 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.

Simonsen was also honored in his hometown of Riverhead and on the North Fork, with ribbons and flags lining the way to his final resting place.

After his death, police cars from far and wide, as well as firetrucks, filled the roadways and highways on Long Island as a trail of blue tears led a fallen hero home.

And in 2019, South Jamesport Avenue, the street where Simonsen grew up, was renamed to honor his legacy.

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