NYPD veteran and South Jamesport native Brian Simonsen, known to friends as “Smiles,” drove 70 miles each way every day from his home to the 102nd Precinct in Queens.
On Tuesday, on what would have been Simonsen’s 48th birthday, the last bridge he drove under on his way home to Calverton, formerly the Halsey Manor Road Bridge in Manorville, was renamed the NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge.
Simonsen, who was killed by friendly fire during a robbery in Queens in 2019, was honored at a dedication and unveiling of signs remembering him for his positivity and resilience.
His wife, Leanne Simonsen, said the family has been working on the name change for the past two years, culminating in Gov. Kathy Hochul signing the bill into law in August.
“When they finally got it approved, it was overwhelming. We were so happy. We just want his name to be known everywhere so people will always remember him,” said Leanne Simonsen. “He was so worth remembering. He lived a life full of joy and he brought joy to everyone, and we just want everyone to carry on his name forever, even after we’re gone.”
Brian Simonsen, 42, was killed on February 19, 2019, while off-duty responding to an attempted armed robbery at a T-Mobile store in Richmond Hill, Queens. When police responded, authorities said officers fired 42 shots in 11 seconds, killing Simonsen in the crossfire. His supervisor, NYPD Sgt. Matthew Gorman of Seaford was shot in the left leg but later recovered.
Two men involved in the robbery were each sentenced to kill Simonsen. Christopher Ransom, who entered the story carrying a toy gun that resembled a black pistol and pointed it at officers, pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison.
Jagger Freeman of Queens was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of manslaughter and robbery while serving as a lookout on the heist.
After Simonsen’s death, his family worked with Long Island leaders to rename the bridge in a bill sponsored by Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Assembly. Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead).
On Tuesday morning, a Riverhead fire department ladder truck hung an American flag from the bridge as dozens of NYPD and Suffolk police officers lined the Long Island Expressway, which was closed for the event.
“Even those events on that fateful day are emblematic of who Brian was as a human being. He was off duty, jumped into battle and ran into danger,” Palumbo said. “So we remember him, and we dedicate this bridge to him, we remember his service to the police department, to his community and to his family and friends.”
Leanne Simonsen marveled at her husband’s resilience and ability to overcome the challenges in his life. As a teenager, Brian lost his sister and father, a pivotal moment that she says helped define his character and direction in life.
“He definitely took the high road. He channeled his pain into power and brought love and light to everyone in his world,” Leanne Simonsen said.
She said her husband never wanted to leave where he grew up and where he raised his family while continuing to serve in the NYPD. The family pointed to the changes his death brought, including funding for lighter, sleeker body armor. Simonsen was not wearing one the day he was killed because the vests were large and would not fit under a suit.
“Brian was a good, good detective,” Leanne Simonsen said. ‘He really solved problems for police officers who had problems, and he was more than happy to do so, so his death was not in vain. He still saves lives. They put in new body armor that was thanks to him, and I believe it saves the lives of a lot of detectives.”
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
Leave a Reply