NYPD veteran and South Jamesport native Brian Simonsen, known to friends as “Smiles,” drove the 70 miles round trip from his home to the 102nd Precinct in Queens every day.

On Tuesday, on what would have been Simonsen’s 48th birthday, the last bridge he drove over on his way to Calverton, the former Halsey Manor Road Bridge in Manorville, was renamed the NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge.

Simonsen, who was killed by friendly fire during a robbery in Queens in 2019, was honored during a dedication and sign unveiling in which he was remembered for his positivity and resilience.

His wife, Leanne Simonsen, said the family has been working on the renaming for the past two years, culminating in Gov. Kathy Hochul signing the bill into law in August.

“When they finally passed, it was overwhelming. We were so happy. We just want his name out there, everywhere, so people will always remember him,” Leanne Simonsen said. “It was so memorable. He lived a joyful life and brought joy to everyone, and we want everyone to carry his name forever, even after we’re gone.”

Brian Simonsen, 42, was killed on February 19, 2019, when he responded off-duty just after 6:00 p.m. to an attempted armed robbery at a T-Mobile store in Richmond Hill, Queens. As police responded, authorities said officers fired 42 shots in 11 seconds, killing Simonsen in the crossfire. His supervisor, NYPD Sgt. Matthew Gorman of Seaford, was shot in the left leg but later recovered.

Two men involved in the robbery were each convicted of Simonsen’s death. Christopher Ransom, who entered the story holding a toy gun that looked like a black gun and pointed it at the officers, pleaded guilty to second-degree aggravated manslaughter and first-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 33 years in prison .

Jagger Freeman of Queens was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder and robbery while a security guard in the robbery.

After Simonsen’s death, his family worked with Long Island leaders to rename the bridge in a bill sponsored by state Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk) and Assemb. Jodi Giglio (R-Riverhead).

On Tuesday morning, a Riverhead fire ladder truck hung an American flag from the bridge as dozens of NYPD and Suffolk police officers lined the Long Island Expressway, which was closed for the event.

“Even those events of that fateful day are emblematic of who Brian was as a human being. He was off duty and jumped into the fray and ran into danger,” Palumbo said. “So we remember him and we dedicate this bridge to him, we remember his service to the police department, to his community and to his family and friends.”

Leanne Simonsen marveled at her husband’s resilience and ability to overcome life’s challenges. As a teenager, Brian lost his sister and father, a pivotal moment that, she said, helped define his character and direction in life.

“He definitely took the high road. He brought his pain to power and brought love and light to everyone in his world,” Leanne Simonsen said.

She said her husband never wanted to leave where he grew up and raised his family while continuing to serve in the NYPD. The family pointed to changes brought about by his death, including funding for lighter and thinner body armor. Simonsen was not wearing one the day he was killed because the vests were bulky and did not fit under the suit.

“Brian was a good, good detective,” Leanne Simonsen said. “He really solved problems for police officers who were in trouble and was more than happy to do it, so his death was not in vain. He is still saving lives today. They brought new bulletproof vests that were because of him, and I think he’s saving a lot of detectives’ lives.”

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.