Adeed Fayaz, a police officer killed during a botched robbery and a victim of the violent crime he had taken an oath to help avoid, was honored by hundreds of family members, friends, and law enforcement colleagues on Thursday inside a mosque in Brooklyn.
Fayaz was off-duty and doing what any devoted family man might do in his spare time: purchasing an SUV to transport his wife and their young children.
At the Makki Masjid Muslim Community Center on Coney Island Avenue in Midwood, that priceless cargo was present as tearful police officers, and still-shocked family members bid their final farewell to a committed officer who loved his work and community.
Ironically, the darkest parts of the service were punctuated by children’s laughter.
The funeral was held in a room where Fayaz’s 3- and 4-year-old sons occasionally played and roamed.
According to Fayaz’s commanding officer, Jason Hagestad, “Adeed was usually happiest when talking about his children.” “Adeed maintained a constant attitude of optimism. He never stopped grinning. He had unwavering confidence. On patrol, he was the person to ask any questions.
Fayaz, an NYPD veteran of five years, was also the go-to person among his pleased relatives who saw him realize his dream of joining the NYPD.
He joined the force in 2017 and was put in charge of Brooklyn’s 66th Precinct.
Adnan Pasha, Fayaz’s uncle and a police officer praised Adeed as “a star of our family.” He had seen his two uncles wear the police uniform every day, so he had always admired it.
Fayaz’s uncle Mehran Fayaz, a different officer, said that he and his nephew were preparing for the sergeants’ exam together.
“I used to get the ‘you’re not studying hard enough’ taunt from people. One day, your nephew will hold the rank of sergeant, the uncle declared. “He took tests early because he wanted to join the police department so severely. That demonstrates how deeply he loved our city.
A robber lured Fayaz, 26, and his brother-in-law to East New York with a car ad shot Fayaz in the head on Saturday night.
Fayaz was prepared to complete the transaction with more than $20,000 in cash, but the sale was a sham. The con artist had Fayaz in a headlock and was brandishing a gun in a matter of seconds.
The robber briefly let go of the cop, but he still managed to fire several shots, one of which hit Fayaz in the head. His brother-in-law attempted to shoot the fleeing gunman with the police officer’s gun but missed.
Three days later, Fayaz passed away.
Randy “Popper” Jones, a suspect, was taken to jail Monday and handcuffed in Fayaz’s handcuffs. Jones is detained on Rikers Island pending trial.
An ex-cop expressed his admiration for Fayaz’s commitment.
Mayor Adams, a former captain of the NYPD, stated, “We salute the tenacity and courage of Muslim cops all around our city.”
“To the family: Though our arms are strong, our hearts are broken. We’ll support you, help you stand up, and demonstrate that your child, your husband, did not perish in vain.
Fayaz was born in Pakistan, immigrated to the US at 5, and decided to become a police officer in middle school, according to Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell. She said that he was multilingual.
Sewell remarked, “He was laying the foundation of a well-lived life.”
Even though Fayaz wasn’t on duty when the incident happened, he was given the sad honor of a line-of-duty funeral.
The police procession was able to move through thanks to a motorcycle escort. Highways were closed as the caravan traveled to Midwood, where the service was held.
Fayaz is a martyr, according to Pakistan’s general consul Ayesha Ali.
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