Quantcast
Skip to content
Communities
  • North Fork
    • Jamesport
    • Mattituck
    • Orient
    • Riverhead
    • Shelter Island
    • Southold
  • The Hamptons
    • Montauk
    • Quogue
    • Sag Harbor
    • Sagaponack
    • Southampton
    • Water Mill
    • Westhampton Beach
  • NYC
  • Palm Beach
  • Home Pros
  • Digital Editions
  • Dan’s Best of the Best
  • Contact Us
  • RegisterLogin
Dan’s Papers
  • Things to Do

    Events Calendar

    View and Post Events

    • Books & Authors
    • Concerts
    • Comedy
    • Fairs & Festivals
    • Film
    • Fitness & Outdoors
    • Galleries & Museums
    • Kids & Families
    • LGBTQ+
    • Nonprofits & Philanthropy
    • Pets & Animals
    • Seasonal & Holiday
    • Shopping
    • Theater

    Dan’s Events

    Visit Dan’s Taste

  • Arts & Culture
    • Artist Profiles
    • Books & Authors
    • Galleries & Museums
    • Performing Arts
    • Music, Film & TV
  • Food & Drink
    • Recipes
    • Restaurants
    • Bars, Breweries & Distilleries
    • Wine & Wineries
  • Celebrity News
  • Local News
    • Crime & Police
    • Politics
    • Health
    • Business
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Obituaries
  • Real Estate
  • Lifestyle
    • Fashion & Style
    • Hotels & Inns
    • Kids & Family
    • Nonprofits & Philanthropy
    • Party & Event Photos
    • Wellness
    • Dan Rattiner’s Stories

→ Dan’s Taste Summer Series Presented by Wilmington Trust

News

Funeral Service Held For Slain Officer

By Stephen J. Kotz
2 minute 02/20/2019 Share
Detective Brian Simonsen Independent/NYPD

Montauk Highway in Hampton Bays was a solid sea of blue Wednesday morning, February 20, as thousands of police officers from the New York City Police Department and other departments from across the state, the region, and as far away as Canada gathered for the funeral Mass for Detective Brian Simonsen, who was killed in the line of duty in Queens on February 13.

The hamlet’s Main Street was closed from Old Riverhead Road to the east and Route 24 to the west to provide a staging area around St. Rosalie’s Catholic Church, where the funeral took place.

Close

Get the Full Story

News, events, culture and more — delivered to you.
Thank you for subscribing!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

After a two-hour Mass, which was relayed via loudspeakers to the huge crowd gathered in the street, three NYPD helicopters flew over the church as hundreds of officers, elected officials, family, and friends stood by as Simonsen’s coffin was carried from the church.

The funeral procession made its way down Main Street, as NYPD officers, their badges partially covered by a black band of mourning, stood in their dress uniforms as many as eight deep. Simonsen, 42, a resident of Calverton and graduate of Riverhead High School, was buried at Jamesport Cemetery on the North Fork.

The detective, a 19-year veteran of the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct, was shot in the chest as he and several other officers responded to an armed burglary at a T-Mobile store in Queens. Police opened fire when the suspect emerged brandishing what appeared to be a real gun but was later revealed to be fake. When police opened fire, Simonsen was mistakenly struck by another’s officer bullet. His partner was wounded in the leg.

sjkotz@indyeastend.com

Photos by Stephen J. Kotz and Gianna Volpe

Independent/Giana Volpe
  • Vetted Hamptons Resources

    Hamptons Classified 

    Access our trusted network of local professionals and browse employment opportunities in the Hamptons.
    Find a Home Pro Search Jobs
  • Most Recent Articles

    Andrew Vahab

    Former Dreyfoos Student Named Chair of School’s Executive Board

    Artist Hodaya Louis discusses her work during her emerging artist residency at the Norton Museum of Art.

    Norton Museum Hosts Emerging Artist Studio Residencies

    DJ Chef Experience is coming to Dan's Red, White & Brews

    DJ Chef Brings Eats & Tunes to Red, White & Brews

    A perfectly shucked oyster from the oyster shucker

    East Hampton Shucker Company CEO John Nicholas Talks Dan’s Red, White & Brews

  • Things to do on the East End

    More local events

    Summer Kids Club Jr: Spanish Immersion at CMEE

    CMEE
    Today, 9 am

    Cruise the Country Side: Wine, Orchards & Craft Beer by Bike

    East End Bike Tours
    Today, 10 am

    CELEBRATE 4TH OF JULY WEEKEND AT THE HUB: PAWS FOR A CAUSE BENEFITING ARF HAMPTONS

    The HUB
    Today, 10 am

    Coastal Projections – Indonesian Home, Fashion & Lifestyle

    American Legion Hall
    Today, 11 am

    INDEPENDENCY: THE AMERICAN FLAG AT 250 YEARS

    Southampton Arts Center
    Today, noon

    The Jackie Mason Musical

    southampton cultural center
    Jul 26, 7 pm
    Dan’s Papers

    The iconic mainstay of Long Island’s East End for over 60 years.

    Read Our Papers

    Digital Editions of Dan’s Papers are available online.
    Get our best stories right into your inbox. Subscribe
    Follow us
    © Dan’s Papers 2025 Schneps Media |
    Designed by Digital Silk
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Post an Event