RIVERHEAD, NY— Tearful tributes and solemn ceremonies have marked the tragic ending of NYPD Det. Brian Simonsen’s life.
Simonsen, of Calverton, was a 19-year NYPD veteran killed during a robbery on Feb 12 at a T-Mobile store in Queens.
And now, 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. He leaves behind his wife Leanne, his mom Linda and Grandpa Vern who are also special to us and we support them tremendously,” Carella said.
Carella shared precious memories of the man known as “Smiles.”
“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.”
Carella, a retired “proud” member of the NYPD and Suffolk County PD, reflected on why he created the moving video: “I have tremendous respect for the men and women in blue and know firsthand what they go through on a daily basis. I am proud to have served as a police officer and created this video in honor of my fallen friend Detective Brian Simonsen and in honor of our police and fire departments who watch over us.”
Tributes have poured in from wide and far: Frigid cold did nothing to deter the thousands who converged upon Hampton Bays last week 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.
Simonsen was also honored in his hometown of Riverhead — originally from South Jamesport, he graduated from Riverhead High School — and on the North Fork, with ribbons and flags lining the way to the Jamesport Cemetery, where was laid to rest, and scores of friends and loved ones paying tribute.
After his death, police cars from far and wide, as well as firetrucks, lined the roadways and highways on Long Island Wednesday night 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 as friends, loved ones and officials remembered “Smiles,” a man who dedicated his life to helping others.
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