HAMPTON BAYS, NY — Hampton Bays was cloaked in a sea of blue Tuesday as hundreds of police officers waited in a solemn line of solidarity along Montauk Highway, hats in hands, hearts broken, waiting to say good-bye to a comrade and friend.

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Frosty winds didn’t deter mourners from their mission, many traveling for miles to pay their heartfelt respects to NYPD Detective Brian Simonsen, a 19-year NYPD veteran killed during a robbery at a T-Mobile store in Queens last Tuesday.

Among those also in attendance Tuesday were NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD PBA President Patrick Lynch.

After waiting outside below heat lamps on the blustery cold day, police officers, friends and loved ones stepped into the Church of St. Rosalie on E. Montauk Hwy., where large screens projected images from Simonsen’s beautiful life, photos of the man loved by so many surrounded by his wife and family, many friends, and fellow officers in blue — a man who was always, always smiling.

Since learning of his tragic death, his heartbroken hometown community has been draped in mourning as friends, loved ones and officials remembered a man they called “Smiles,” for his giving spirit and friendly demeanor.

Once inside the church, pews were filled with hundreds of officers in uniform; the church was bedecked with wreaths depicting flags, a hero’s badge — and one arrangement spelling out the word “Smiles” in gentle white blossoms.

The fallen hero was laid to rest with an American flag folded near — his loving wedding photo placed closed beside him.

Even the words on Det. Simonsen’s prayer card speak to his signature smile:

“I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one,

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, of happy times and laughing times

and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave

when life is done.”

The trees along Montauk Highway were bedecked with blue and black ribbons, with local Scouts from Troop 483 helping to tie them.

Both inside and outside the church, mourners spoke quietly, sharing stories, memories, handshakes and comforting embraces. Because even when there are no words, there is strength in ritual, in solidarity, in loyalty and love — in turning out in force to honor a hero’s legacy.

Services continue Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning, Feb. 20 at 10 a.m. All services are held at Saint Rosalie Roman Catholic Church, located at 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, New York 11946.

Interment will be at the Jamesport Cemetery following the funeral mass.

Patch photos by Lisa Finn.