We were walking in the middle of the street along Atlantic Avenue away from the brilliantly lit crime scene Tuesday night, side-by-side, strangers in The World’s Borough, the ultimate melting pot. Our heads were hung glumly as we quietly ambled across the slush-covered asphalt, relentless droplets of freezing rain pelting us, when a street light caught tthe gold shield hanging from his neck.
Detective. New York City Police Department.
I found myself at a loss for words. I knew that I wanted to say something meaningful to him, something comforting, maybe.
“Thank you for your service,” I muttered awkwardly, my gaze still trained on the street below.
My plainclothes companion stopped—he had arrived at his vehicle. I kept going.
“You know, I don’t hear that much,” he called out to me; I turned around as he added, “Thank you for that.”
A simple, yet profound exchange between one grateful resident and a bona fide protector of our city, on one of the worst nights of his life. One of too many that he’s endured throughout his career, I thought to myself as I turned right to find my own vehicle, still double-parked where I left it.
***
Thank you for your service, Det. Brian Simonsen.
The 42-year-old married father of two gave his life for us on a bitter-cold Tuesday night in Richmond Hill.
I thought about his family—blood and NYPD—well into the night.
Our borough is in mourning.
“The heart of Queens is with the wife and family of Detective Brian Simonsen, an 18-year NYPD veteran killed in the line of duty while responding to an armed robbery in Richmond Hill tonight,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said in a statement released around 11:30 p.m. “Detective Simonsen devoted his entire career to the 102nd Precinct here in Queens. We deeply mourn the loss of someone who selflessly put his life on the line without hesitation to protect the rest of us. We wish the wounded sergeant a speedy and full recovery. Detective Simonsen’s family will have the full support of this grateful borough and city.”
City Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) added, “The security our city routinely enjoys comes at considerable risk to the safety of the officers of the New York Police Department. Last night’s tragic death of Det. Brian Simonsen serves as a painful and sobering reminder of that sacrifice. On behalf of the 27th Council District, and as chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Det. Simonsen’s family, his fellow officers at the 102nd Precinct, Patrol Borough Queens South, and every member of our city’s Finest. Our hearts are also with Sgt. Matthew Gorman and his family, as we pray for his swift recovery.”
I found myself at a loss for words, again, as I sat down to pen this. Dumbfounded by the wanton depravity of the city I love; grateful for those who have volunteered to protect her every day. So I thought back to Tuesday night and the brief walk and exchange with that detective. And I finally smiled.
Thank you for your service.
