Detectives Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo has dedicated his final efforts as head of the union to ensure the passage of legislation in memory of Detective Brian Simonsen, who tragically lost his life during a phone store robbery in Queens in 2019. The proposed bill mandates phone companies to disable stolen phones, rendering them worthless on the black market. DiGiacomo, who will be stepping down as president later this month, believes that this measure will significantly reduce robberies, burglaries, and larcenies.
Simonsen was fatally shot at a T-Mobile store when a robber brandished what appeared to be a handgun, prompting responding officers to open fire, inadvertently striking the officer. The bill, which awaits Governor Hochul’s signature, holds personal significance for DiGiacomo, who recalls seeing Simonsen at a union meeting earlier that day. He emphasizes that Simonsen chose to go to work that day, diligently investigating a robbery pattern, ultimately sacrificing his life in the line of duty.
With a 42-year career as an NYPD police officer and detective, DiGiacomo has witnessed numerous colleagues and friends fall victim to violence, particularly during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. He vividly remembers the murder of P.O. Keith Williams in 1989 and the immense toll it took on the affected families. This personal connection motivated DiGiacomo to become a delegate with the Police Benevolent Association and later assume the presidency of the Detectives Endowment Association.
DiGiacomo’s commitment to supporting families of fallen officers is evident in the folder on his desk, containing the names and contact information of all such families. He has ensured that these families receive the benefits of a promoted detective, providing them with improved support. Additionally, he successfully advocated for line-of-duty death benefits for detectives who succumbed to COVID-19, acknowledging the invisible threat faced by law enforcement during the pandemic.
Under DiGiacomo’s leadership, detectives secured favorable contracts, including salary increases. However, he expresses concern over the rising number of firearms in the hands of criminals, attributing it to bail reform laws. DiGiacomo believes that these laws have emboldened criminals, leading to tragic incidents like the death of Police Officer Jonathan Diller earlier this year. The memory of meeting Diller’s widow, a new mother, at the hospital remains etched in his mind.
