Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Brian Simonsen was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at a cell phone store at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 120th Street in the Richmond Hill section of the city.
Detective Simonsen and his sergeant were canvassing on an unrelated case when they heard a call for a robbery in progress. They responded to the store where they encountered a subject and attempted to apprehend him. As patrol officers responded to the scene, both detectives, who were in plainclothes, were struck by friendly fire as the suspect pointed what was later determined to be a fake gun at responding officers.
Detective Simonsen succumbed to his wounds. His sergeant was transported to a local hospital with injuries.
The suspect was also shot and wounded. In November 2021, the suspect pleaded guilty to robbery and aggravated manslaughter as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced to 33 years in prison. The accomplice has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault, murder, robbery, and weapons possession offenses and was convicted of murder on June 13th, 2022. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Detective Simonsen had served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was assigned to the 102nd Precinct Detective Squad.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, mother, and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-65FDF7C5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Brian. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Simonsen gave the New York City Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Simonsen.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Brian P. Simonsen is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In NY, 645 of 2,147 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 30% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At New York City Police Department, 283 of 1237 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 22.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Brian P. Simonsen's cause is highlighted.
How Brian P. Simonsen Compares
Offender Outcome
33 years
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Brian P. Simonsen is highlighted in Feb.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1,236 officers from New York City Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
