Street Dedication For Fallen NYPD Hero Saturday

RIVERHEAD, NY — The many who loved him will gather Saturday to honor NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen, of Calverton, who was killed by friendly fire during an armed robbery in Queens on February 12.

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. Simonsen was laid to rest in the Jamesport Cemetery close by.

The town will hold a dedication ceremony on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the corner of Main Road and South Jamesport Avenue on the lawn of the George Young Community Center.

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, nicknamed “Smiles”, was well known for his warm personality and his ability to put a smile on anyone’s face, town officials said.

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

The Riverhead Town Police Department will close roads on Saturday for the road dedication. The road closures will begin at 12:45 p.m. and last until about 1:30 p.m. South Jamesport Avenue between Peconic Bay Boulevard and Main Road in Jamesport and Route 25 in Jamesport between Washington Avenue and Manor Lane will be closed, police said.

Motorists should expect delays in the area beginning at 12:30 p.m.

Simonsen, of Calverton, left a long legacy and a heartbroken 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. "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 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, 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 for months 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.

Rocked by the unthinkable loss, the Riverhead community, where Simonsen grew up and had deep roots, has reflected on a man whose innate kindness shaped his path.

Riverhead Police Sgt. Jill Kubetz said she and Simonsen went to Riverhead High School together.

The nickname "Smiles," she said, was a testament to his winning grin and huge heart.

"Detective Brian Simonsen was a friend to all that knew him," she said. "He'll be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him." Simonsen, Kubetz said, "valued his time with his friends, whether playing softball or hosting parties. He will be greatly missed."

Even though he worked in the NYPD's 102nd Precinct, Simonsen, Kubetz said he often attended Riverhead Police Department functions, having grown up in Riverhead with his brothers in blue.

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone directed flags at all county government buildings to be flown at half-mast after Simonsen's death.

"Detective Brian Simonsen was a Suffolk County resident who chose to serve and protect the people who call New York City their home," Bellone said. "My thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the entire law enforcement community during this difficult time."

Riverhead Town Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith also shared her sorrow: "Detective Brian Simonsen was a lifelong resident, friend and active member of the Riverhead community. This is a heartbreaking loss for the NYPD, and our town. So many members of our community have reached out with stories of a profoundly kind man, always willing to put others' needs before himself. The Town of Riverhead's thoughts and prayers are with the Simonsen family during this deeply tragic time."

Simonsen, 43, a 19-year NYPD veteran, was killed in the line of duty and a sergeant shot during the robbery at a T-Mobile store at 91-62 120 St., officials said. He was reportedly not meant to be working on the fateful day when he was killed; it was said that, fiercely dedicated, he wanted to continue investigating a series of robberies.

Sgt. Matthew Gorman was wounded as the cops exchanged fire with the alleged robbers, according to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Rep. Lee Zeldin also spoke on the tragedy: "Simonsen is one of our own who leaves behind a loving family, both at home at at the NYPD. Our community mourns the loss of Detective Simonsen. RIP," he said.

Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said he and the members of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office "stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our brothers and sisters in the NYPD in mourning the loss of Detective Brian Simonsen, who made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting the people of New York City earlier tonight."

Tragically, Simonson's sister Melissa was killed after being hit by a vehicle in Riverhead in 1992, when she was only 13 — and their father, a local dentist, died soon after, according to reports.

Resident Greg Fischer, who lived not far from Simonsen and his wife, echoed the heartbreak of many: "He was a regular, nice guy. Happy. Cordial. Polite. Just normal. What happened was just tragic."