Hundreds gather for wake for NYPD detective killed in Queens robbery

A wake was be held Sunday night for the NYPD detective from Long Island who was killed in the line of duty.

News 12 Staff

Feb 18, 2019, 5:46 PM

Updated 1,903 days ago

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Hundreds gather for wake for NYPD detective killed in Queens robbery
 Hundreds gathered at the St. Rosalie Church in Hamptons Bay Monday night for the wake of the NYPD detective from Long Island who was killed in the line of duty.
Detective Brian Simonsen, a 19-year NYPD veteran from Calverton, was killed by friendly fire while responding to a robbery in Queens last week.
Police say officers fired 42 shots in 11 seconds when suspect Christopher Ransom charged at them with a fake gun.
Simonsen was hit in the chest by the crossfire. Sgt. Matthew Gorman, of Seaford, was wounded.
Gorman, who was Simonsen's partner, attended the service.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he was moved by the emotion displayed from some of the toughest men and women around.
Rep. Peter King says he didn't know Detective Simonsen personally, but got a good sense of the man he was after talking to his friends, family, and colleagues.
Simonsen is survived by his wife and his mother.
Officials say Ransom, of Brooklyn, had over 20 prior arrests. He was shot during the encounter and was arraigned on murder and other charges by video from his hospital bed.
A second suspect in the incident has now been charged with murder. Investigators say Jagger Freeman acted as a lookout while Ransom held the T-Mobile at gunpoint on Tuesday. He is being held without bail.
Monday and on Tuesday services will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Simsonsen will be laid to rest at the Jamesport Cemetery.
Southampton Town Police have issued a traffic alert for the Hampton Bays area this week because of both services. 
The following roads will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday:
  • Montauk Highway from Flanders Road (State Route 24) to Old Riverhead Road
  • Squiretown Road from Montauk Highway to Old Riverhead Road
  • Ponquogue Avenue from Montauk Highway to Good Ground Road 
  • Springville Road from Montauk Highway to Good Ground Road
 
 
 


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