Transcript: Mayor, Police Commissioner Deliver Remarks at Plaque Dedication Ceremony for NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen

May 27, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio: We never forget. The monsignor said it and we all mean it, we never forget. We never forget a good man. We never forget someone who with every ounce of his being protected other people. Detective Brian Simonsen did things right. He lived right. He served right – 19-year veteran, devoted in every way. When you hear stories of people, sometimes some of us, we only get to know them when they're lost, but you learn what's the current running through someone's life – devotion, commitment, that's who he was. He really believed things had to be done right and he went the extra mile. And it was second nature to him, that's how deep it was in him. He left behind a lot of love, especially his family. To Leanne, we've all marveled at your strength and your ability to carry his memory and the joy of the memory, not just the loss. To Linda, to Bern, the family that brought him up so well, thank you. To Daniel, to Shawn, to all the family and friends who are here, we grieve together, and we stand together, and we remember together. And because of what we do today, we will always remember. 

You can't forget someone who did this much and sacrificed so much. His family, his friends will remember deeply, but his second family, his NYPD family, his 1-0-2 Precinct family feel a loss of a comrade in arms, someone exemplary in what he did in his work, but also the humanity, the way he brought out something that people. The nickname "Smiles," because he made people laugh. He made people feel something. He lived life to the fullest. That, we know – left it all on the playing field. The fact he would drive here 70 miles each way, because he loved the 1-0-2 Precinct. He loved the people of this community. He loved serving shoulder-to-shoulder with his brothers and sisters in this department. He believed in representing them, and everyone knows he was a union delegate that day, went to a union meeting, and could adjust called it a day there, but chose to serve and gave his life in that moment. He needs to be a part of the permanent memory of New York City. He needs to be an example to all New Yorkers of bravery, courage – commitment matters. That's how we are all kept safe, because of people like Brian. He lived the right way, bravely. He lived bravely. He lived honorably. And he lived with joy.  

On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, we will miss you. We will remember you. And to all here to keep that memory alive, thank you and God bless you all. 

[Applause] 

Sergeant Andrew McEvoy, NYPD: Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It is now my pleasure to introduce the Police Commissioner of the City of New York, the honorable Dermot Shea. 

[Applause] 

Police Commissioner Dermot Shea: Thank you, everyone. And I’m a little speechless as I look around here today. And, Monsignor, we talk about never forgetting and we tragically go to a lot of ceremonies. But, as you look around here today, I think this says an awful lot about how Brian lived. And how – I look at the Fire Department here on my left, thank you, gentlemen, for being out here today. The members of the 1-0-2 Precinct, past and present, detective bureau, patrol, and everyone in between – I think we need a bigger tent. I think we need a bigger street.  

[Laughter] 

Leanne, Linda, Bern, Uncle Bill, members of the family – to the members of the line of duty families that are here – We honor all of you today. We truly do. When you to talk about Brian Simonsen, he called this building his home for nearly 20 years. And the Mayor touched on some of what that meant. When you look around here, people coming back years later. When you see Community Council Presidents coming back, this is what I think about when I think about Brian. When you see members of the community and members that he worked with every day – as I've said to you before, Leanne and Linda, how many lives Brian touched, that he left this impact on? And that's what I think about here today. I am sad, for sure, but celebrating Brian's life and the impact that he had.  

This will always be Brian's home. Last night, I was in Manhattan at an event with General Nicholson, and we talked about honoring members of the military and members of law enforcement, and how important it is to tell their story. And we've spoken about this. This is just another example as we unfurl the plaque in the detective squad and here that will be posted there. Not just those today – but, Leanne, for years to come, we tell Brian's story. We talk about what he meant to this community, but, more importantly, what he meant to you, and what he meant to his family, and what he meant to his blue family, and how he lived life, and how we impacted people. I think of the tragic night two years ago in February, when we lost Brian, working on his own time, coming into work when he didn't have to come to work, working for victims to get them justice. Investigating a robbery and the impact he left on that doctor, as I recall the story. I think about if we all could live our lives as Brian led his life, I think the world would be a better place.  

To all the members of the 1-0-2 Precinct and wearing a blue uniform today, thank you for what you do each and every day. God bless you. And everything that you do lives up to Brian's memory and honors him in the sacrifice that you make every day. God bless you. 

[Applause]