Thousands Flood Hampton Bays For Tearful Farewell To NYPD Hero

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — On Wednesday, Hamptons Bays was the world, at least for the thousands who traveled for miles and hours on city highways and country roadways to bid a solemn and tearful farewell to fallen NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen.

Simonsen, of Calverton, was a 19-year NYPD veteran killed during a robbery at a T-Mobile store in Queens last week.

Frigid cold did nothing to deter the thousands who converged upon Hampton Bays, many even arriving by train 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.

Montauk Highway was closed to traffic as Hampton Bays welcomed the veritable sea of police officers, family members, friends, and residents who turned out to say good-bye. The church was filled to capacity at 750 and was standing room only, with some mourners, including toddlers in strollers, listening in the vestibule — but loudspeakers broadcast the mass to all, the streets somber as hymns and a poignant homily celebrated the life of a man who lived to serve others.

Among those also in attendance Tuesday were NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton, NYPD PBA President Patrick Lynch and NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association President Michael Palladino.

Local elected officials in attendance included Rep. Peter King, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman and New York State Assemblyman Fred Thiele.

Loved ones surrounded Simonsen's heartbroken widow Leanne and mother Linda.

Since learning of his tragic death, his heartbroken hometown community has been draped in mourning as friends, loved ones and officials remembered a man they called "Smiles," for his giving spirit and friendly demeanor.

NYPD Chaplain Monsignor Robert Romano presided over the Mass. NYPD Chaplain Monsignor David Cassato gave the homily, and Bishop John Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre blessed the casket.

During the homily, Cassato spoke of Simonsen's wife and mother, and of his Grandpa Vern, a 100-year old World War II veteran; stories have abounded this week about Simonsen, he said, stories that will keep his memory alive forever, including his ever-present smile, his love for friends and family, for backyard barbecues and gatherings. "Never forget," he said. "When you sit down and tell the stories, he will be right there with you."

Simonsen’s cousin Suffolk County Police Officer Shawn Peterson spoke from his heart about the cousin he grew up with, sharing experiences such as fishing. "He taught me to ride a bike by giving me a push and a wave for good luck," he said, laughing. He fondly remembered a young man who got help in school from his younger sister — and got an "A."

"My cousin was always smiling," Peterson said. "He lived up to his nickname."

Growing serious, he said, even when dealt with the most devastating blows in life, such as losing his little sister, who was hit by a car when he was only 15, and his father, shortly after, losses that may have felled a lesser young man, his cousin carried on, becoming the man of the house.

Everything his cousin became, Peterson said, was because of his mother Linda's "nurturing soul."

Peterson said his cousin was devoted to his work at the 102nd Precinct in Queens, and traveled 140 miles round trip because his colleagues were close as family. "Brian loved the 102," he said.

He also spoke about Simonsen's wife Leanne, who he met in Las Vegas, knowing instantly that she was the one. Even though Leanne lived in Chicago, the miles were nothing compared to his love for the woman who would become his wife, he said.

Simonsen's partner, NYPD Detective Richard Waters, broke down in tears as he spoke from his heart. "Brian was a great detective but he was an even better person," he said. When he was divorcing, Simonsen let him move in, sharing his home without a second thought. "He took care of me for six months," he said.

To Leanne, Waters said, "He loved you so much. I have never seen him happier than on the day of his wedding."

His voice broken with tears, Waters said, "I will miss my partner. But most of all, I will miss my friend."

Officers in blue traveled from far and wide, with the NYPD represented, as well as police from Chicago, Nassau County, Suffolk County, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Courts, New York State Police, Southold, Southampton, Riverhead, East Hampton, Shelter Island villages across the East End, and officers and fire officials from across Long Island and beyond.

As his coffin was brought out, soft sobs filled the air; mourners wore both green ribbons, some adorned with Simonsen's face, and others, blue and black ribbons over their badges, marking their deep sorrow.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke: "Today, New York City is heartbroken," de Blasio said. "We have a tremendous sense of loss in our community — a city so large, and yet we're all united right now in profound grief because we have lost such a good man. With every passing day all of us have come to know Brian, come to understand how exceptional he truly was, how much goodness, how much heart, how special a person who we miss so deeply now."

The mayor said hearts go out to the Simonsen family.

"And I ask every New Yorker, when you see a police officer today, please offer them condolences as you would to someone who has lost a family member because, in fact, they have," de Blasio said. "We think about Brian's life and we should see so many positive, powerful things in his life because he lived right. He wanted to be a police officer from an early age, he realized his dream. He wanted to protect others and he did. He wanted to provide care and comfort. He did it even before he was an officer helping troubled young people here on Long Island and he brought that passion and that belief to the 1-0-2 Precinct and made it a better place."

Simonsen, the mayor said, was devoted.

"It was never just a job for him. It was something much more powerful. One of his partners recalled one night responding to a job, a woman who had fought off an intruder in her home," he said. "His partner said that Brian tried to soothe her, tried to let her know it would be okay, and she ended up crying on his shoulder so long that her tears soaked through Brian's shirt. She was in a moment of profound distress and he was exactly the kind of person who needed to arrive to make things right and he felt that same responsibility to his fellow officers serving them as a union delegate."

Simonsen, de Blasio said, could have taken that "fateful day" off. "That's not the human being he was. He felt his neighborhood needed him and everybody he served. He felt he had to be there. And you talk to people in Richmond Hill, they will tell you they knew Brian, the guy who went to the bodega or the pizzeria, stopped in and talked to a business owner, asked him if you wanted a cup of coffee. One community resident said something powerful. He said Brian had a human instinct. He had the ability to bring our officers and our community closer and closer together. This resident said, 'You viewed him as a friend.'"

The mayor said Simonsen was a devoted Giants and Mets fan. "Neighbor kids would call him Uncle Brian. He'd hang out with them and joke around with them. He played whiffle ball with the kids. If they needed a baseball mitt, I wouldn't be surprised if Brian would go get one for them. . . And even after this tragedy, Brian kept giving back, still taking care of others. He wanted to be an organ donor to make sure he could continue to save lives and he did," he said. "I think we can all agree we have lost one of our very best and we've been given an example to live up to."

O'Neill also spoke: "Brian was the one you were grateful to see arrive on the scene. He was the one you wanted beside you when decisions mattered most. So last Tuesday night, Brian and his partner, Sergeant Matt Gorman, heard the familiar call for help and they answered it. They made the decision to move toward the danger, to face it head on," he said. "They did so because people needed them."

Of Simonsen, O'Nell said: "We honor Brian’s memory when we pick up where he left off. We won't ever finish his work, but the respect is in the effort. It's in hearing the call for help and answering it. Brian took great pride in the job and approached all aspects of it seriously. He was always ready with a joke, too. He had a knack for making you feel like you were his best friend. . . If anyone had something difficult in their lives going on, they’d find Brian. Brian knew how to talk to people — and more importantly, he knew how to listen."

O'Neill said Simonsen was "exceedingly good at his job and making those connections," with people, establishing trust.

He had close to 600 arrests, 500 of which were felonies, he said.

"What police officers do is make victims feel that they're not alone, that the fight isn't over. Making connections with the evidence is just part of the job. Detectives also must reconnect victims with the hope that was stolen from them," he said.

Speaking of the incident that took his life, O'Neill said: "Let me tell you something — those cops were responding to a call for help. They didn't hesitate and they are not to blame. The only two people responsible for Brian’s death — the only two — are the career criminals who decided to go to that store on Tuesday night and commit an armed robbery."

As he concluded, O'Neill said: "Take a moment to appreciate that these people, your neighbors who are putting themselves in harm's way to keep you safe. They don't know you. They may never have seen you, never spoken to you, but they will do everything in their power to protect you. They will put your lives above their own. That's who they are. They have the very best among us, they are the NYPD, they are Detective Brian Simonsen, and they will always be there fighting against violence, against brutality, against cruelty, and against anyone who wishes you harm."

He then promoted Brian Simonsen to Detective First Grade, an announcement that was met with thunderous applause.

As they crowded the parking lot for the funeral procession to bid final farewell to Simonsen, the crowd wept openly, embracing one another, in love, in solidarity — and officers stood solemn in a steadfast line of support along Montauk Highway, banding together during the darkest of hours, vowing to keep a hero's legacy alive forever.

Patch photos, video by Lisa Finn.