BILL NUMBER: S7588

SPONSOR: PALUMBO
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the highway law, in relation to designating a portion of
the state highway system as the "NYPD Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memo-
rial Bridge"

 
PURPOSE:

Designates all that portion of the state highway system constituting the
Halsey manor Road overpass at the Long Island Expressway as the "NYPD
Detective Brian P. Simonsen Memorial Bridge".

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1. Amends the highway law by adding a new section 344-o, provid-
ing all that portion of the state highway system constituting the Halsey
Manor Road overpass at the Long Island expressway in the town of Brook-
haven, county of Suffolk, shall be known as the "NYPD Detective Brian P.
Simonsen Memorial Bridge".
              

Section 2. States that the commissioner of transportation shall provide
for the installation and maintenance of adequate signing of the state
highway systems as designated pursuant to section 1 of the this act. The
designation will be for ceremonial purposes only and the official name
of the bridge will not be changed as a result of this act.

Section 3. Sets for the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Brian P. Simonsen was a NYPD detective who spent his entire 19-year
career at the 102"d Precinct in Queens. In February of 2019, Detective
Simonsen responded to a call for an armed robbery. Despite being off
duty, he rushed to the scene to assist. Detective Simonsen and his
fellow officers took swift action to apprehend the perpetrator and
during the crossfire he was fatally shot.

Detective Simonsen was a life-long resident of Riverhead and proud Long
Islander. Despite the daily 70 miles commute to his precinct, he
remained a committed member of his community choosing to settle in Bait-
ing Hollow just a few miles from where he grew up. His precinct in
Queens was his "home away from home' and he will always be a well-known
and dearly beloved member of both the East End and the neighborhoods he
protected in the 102nd Precinct.

Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen overcame many personal tragedies in
his 42 years earning his nickname for his tireless positivity, his love
of life and how he naturally spread laughter and goodwill where he went.
He epitomized the spirit of service, instinctually stepping forward to
help anyone in need whether they be loved ones or complete strangers. He
deeply treasured his family, many friends and the love of his life
Leanne.

His memory lives on in all who loved him and through the work of the
Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen Memorial Foundation. The Foundation's
mission is to "Smile and Do good" as Detective Simonsen always did.
Since May 2019, the foundation has been doing charitable work and commu-
nity service event s for children, animals and those in financial need
both on the East End of Long Island and in the 102nd Precinct in Queens.

This legislation will honor Detective Brian "Smiles" Simonsen by dedi-
cating the Halsey Manor Road Bridge on the LI Expressway in his memory,
demonstrating to his loved ones that his service will not be forgotten
by the State of New York. Such memorials also show our heroes that the
communities they serve and protect are eternally grateful for their
service and if called to make the ultimate sacrifice their legacy will
endure the test of time.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.