Massive show of support at LI wake services for fallen detective

Family, friends and fellow officers continued saying their goodbyes Tuesday to the NYPD detective from Long Island killed in the line of duty.

News 12 Staff

Feb 19, 2019, 5:50 PM

Updated 1,902 days ago

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Massive show of support at LI wake services for fallen detective
Family, friends and fellow officers continued saying their goodbyes Tuesday to the NYPD detective from Long Island killed in the line of duty.
Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays was lined with people waiting in the bitter cold to go inside the Church of St. Rosalie to pay their respects to Detective Brian Simonsen. He was killed last week during a friendly fire incident in Queens.
Among those present was Sanny Liu, the widow of NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu, who was fatally shot in his police cruiser in 2014.
"They are not alone," she said, referring to Simonsen's family. "We will always be with them."
Simonsen's partner, NYPD Sgt. Matthew Gorman, was shot in the leg during the incident. He was seen in a wheelchair.
NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also attended Tuesday's service. Police representatives from cities like Boston paid their respects.
A 19-year veteran of the force, Simonsen had hundreds of arrests on record and is being remembered as having a huge heart.
City PBA President Patrick Lynch urged people to not forget Simonsen's family once the services conclude.
Simonsen's funeral will be Wednesday, also at Church of St. Rosalie.


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