Hundreds Turn Out To Honor Fallen Hero; Services Continue Tuesday

HAMPTON BAYS NY — Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their final respects to a fallen hero Monday during the first night of services held for NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen.

Simonsen, 43, of Calverton, was a 19-year NYPD veteran who was killed by friendly fire in the line of duty last Tuesday.

Those who flocked to Hampton Bays were greeted by streets lined with blue and black ribbons; a GoFundMe page, "Help HB Honor NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen" was created by Julie Lofstad to raise funds for the effort. Funds will be collected through the end of the week to donate to his family with the help of Southampton Town Police, Lofstad said.

Boy Scout Troop 483 of Hampton Bays worked diligently to help place the ribbons in memory of Det. Simonsen.

Funeral services for Simonsen, a former South Jamesport resident and Riverhead High School graduate who lived in Calverton with his wife Leanne, continue Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. All services will be held at Saint Rosalie Roman Catholic Church, located at 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, New York 11946.

Interment will be at the Jamesport Cemetery following the funeral mass. DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck is assisting the family.

On Wednesday, police cars and firetrucks lined the roadways and highways on Long Island Wednesday night as a trail of blue tears led a fallen hero home. Det. Simonsen was brought home in a cortege to the North Fork's DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Mattituck.

As lights flashed and a helicopter flew overhead, police lined Rt. 25, paying their respects to a man who dedicated his life to serving others. Simonsen and a sergeant were shot during the robbery at a T-Mobile store at 91-62 120 St. in Queens at 6:10 p.m., officials said. Sgt. Matthew Gorman was wounded as the cops exchanged fire with the alleged robbers, according to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

A heartbroken community has been cloaked in mourning as friends, loved ones and officials remembered a man they called "Smiles," for his beautiful spirit and friendly demeanor.

Southampton Town Police told the public to expect traffic delays as wake and funeral services continue through Wednesday. To view those delays and closures, click here.

Also on Wednesday, Riverhead Police have issued a Jamesport traffic advisory, with delays expected on New York State Route 25 from County Route 105 in Riverhead to Laurel Lane in Laurel due to the funeral procession, beginning at 11 a.m. through the early afternoon. South Jamesport Ave. in Jamesport will be closed between State Route 25 and North Rail Road Ave. beginning at 11 a.m. for 90 minutes.

Patch photos courtesy Boy Scout Troop 483.