Leanne Simonsen
Leanne Simonsen is the devastated wife of killed police detective, Brian Simonsen.
Leanne’s husband was tragically killed while on duty yesterday in a friendly fire. Brian an NYPD detective, confronted a robbery suspect who turned out to be armed with a replica handgun. As other patrol officers responded to the scene Detective Simonsen and his Sergeant, 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. Simonsen was struck in the chest.
42-year-old Detective Simonsen was assigned to the 102nd Precinct Detective Squad. He had served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years.
As it turns out Simonsen should’ve been off Tuesday for a union meeting, but he opted to go to work so he could continue tracking a string of recent robberies, reports say.
Commissioner James O’Neil made it clear that friendly fire aside, it was due to the suspect’s actions that, Simonsen lost his life. The suspect is described as a 27-year-old man with an extensive criminal record, he was armed with an imitation firearm. He was wounded and is hospitalized in stable condition.
Detective Simonsen was taken to Jamaica Hospital where he was pronounced dead. He is survived by his wife, Leanne Simonsen who rushed to the hospital and met with Mayor Bill de Blasio –who offered her his condolences.
Leanne’s husband is well remembered for a 2009 case in which he investigated the death of an 11-month old boy who drowned in a bucket of water at an unlicensed daycare while the woman running it was passed out on NyQuil. Brian Simonsen testified at Kristal Khan’s trial, which ended in her conviction.
Leanne Simonsen was born Leanne M Kinnavy in 1974. She and her husband shared two children together.
