'His Generosity Was Limitless': NYPD, Family, Mourn Officer From LI

DEER PARK, NY — On what would have been the day he interviewed for his dream job, hundreds of New York City police officers, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, paid respects to 26-year-old Adeed Fayaz on Thursday afternoon, as his family and friends gave emotional goodbyes.

The service took place at Makki Masjid Muslim Community Center in Coney Island, where officers stood shoulder to shoulder, filling the mosque to the brim. Others lined the streets, saluting as Fayaz's coffin traveled to the mosque.

Fayaz, of Deer Park, died Tuesday after he was shot in the head Saturday. The off-duty police officer had attempted to buy a car off social media, the NYPD said.

Councilmember candidate Amber Adler told Patch she observed Fayaz's funeral procession with her sons.

“Officier Adeed Fayaz was a pillar of strength in his community that has helped so many people," she said. "I mourned alongside his family, community members and others that came out to pay respect because it is important to both honor such a good man and also to show up for his family in their time of pain.”

Sewell shared how Fayaz came to the United States with his family at age 5. In middle school, he decided he wanted to be a police officer after seeing two of his uncles wear their uniforms.

After speaking with his colleagues, Sewell shared that his "enthusiasm was legendary" and "his generosity was limitless."

Fayaz recently took the NYPD sergeant's exam, she said. He wished to become a sergeant and work in the NYPD aviation unit.

Adnan Pasha, Fayaz's uncle, said he viewed his nephew like his own child, and referred to him as "my son."

The two had both prepared for the sergeant's exam together, Pasha said.

On this day, he said, Fayaz had an interview scheduled with NYPD Aviation, his dream job.

"But who knew the day he had an interview, is that same day, I would be standing here doing his funeral, with you all," he said, breaking down in tears.

Pasha and Fayaz's other uncle, Meharan Fayaz, also shared how much he loved New York City and loved his job.

For example, he wanted to take the police academy test before he came of age. When he became an officer, Meharan said at times he would stay late, arrive home after his kids fell asleep, and would be off to work again before they woke.

Fayaz's aunt and father, who used a translator, also gave short but emotional speeches. Through tears, sobs, and comfort from Sewell, they said how their light is gone, and gun violence needs to end.

"He was the star of our family," said Meharan.

Jason Hagestad, deputy inspector of the 66th Prescient, said Fayaz was the epitome of a good employee and dedicated officer. He never complained, accepted things with the utmost professionalism, and had one of the most internal sense of determinations he had ever seen.

Hagestad recalled a recent anecdote, of how Fayaz and his partner were involved in a car crash. Fayaz was eager to return to work.

"I've never seen anybody return to full duty as fast as Adeed did," said Hagestad. "I told him, 'Relax, guy, you're prancing around the station, I was in hospital socks right now.'"

His dedication was not overlooked. Fayaz received recognition for "Excellent Police Duty" once in 2019 and twice in 2020, the police database said. He also had no record of complaints. Heagestead also honored Fayaz in December 2022 for Commander's Day.

Fayaz worked in the department for five years. The one thing he could love more than being a police officer was his family, many speakers said.

Heagestad said that Fayaz recently moved his family to Long Island.

"Adeed moved his family from Queens to Deer Park, Long Island, to give his family a bigger house, to raise his two beautiful children, no matter how long the commute would be to work," he said.

At times, he would take off work to help out at his kids' school. He was also in the process of co-signing a lease with his sister, he said.

"He was always the happiest when he was talking about his children," Heagestad said.

Sewell also stated that Fayaz's children, who are ages 3 and 4, were his greatest achievements, she said.

"He was pouring the foundation of a life well-lived, making proud, honoring and taking care of the family he cherished above all," she said.

As a Muslim and man of Pakistani descent, Sewell said that loved ones must look to the values of the Quran, to help cope with the tragedy of his death.

"The greatest moral virtues are that of kindness to people and other living creatures, charity, honesty, patience, forgiveness, justice, respect, and restraint. In the face of the senselessness of this loss, we need the reminder of that list of grace," she said. "We cannot allow anger or grief to eternally paralyze us, darken our hearts, test our resolve or break our will to hold those who account for malice in this city."

Adams also acknowledged how after 9/11, the Islamic community in New York City faced prejudice. While some left the city to avoid hate, others, like Adeed, strived in their own ways to make things better.

"He became the symbol of what's great about this country. Today we celebrate his life," he said. "He joined all the other offices from different walks of life, different ethnicities and different backgrounds."

Both Adams and Sewell stated that Fayaz's children and his widow will forever be supported by the NYPD.

"We pray you find peace and solace in knowing that the NYPD will always be here to support you. And we will continue to serve as the caretaker he did honorably and faithfully in the city he loved to his great loss," said Sewell. "New York has lost one of its protectors. But Rayan and Zion now have thousands more fathers."

At the end of Pasha's speech, he noted how Fayaz would have been so happy to see that the NYPD, the mayor, the commissioner, as well as loved ones from Pakistan, traveled for this event.

His impact on the world, he said, is inspiring beyond words.

"Maybe I did not work as hard before, but I promise, your uncle will make you proud," said Pasha. "Usually people say, I want to be like my uncle. I might be the first uncle that's going to say I want to be like my nephew."