By Dustin Brown and Alex Davidson
Two Queens men who put their lives on the line and lost them as undercover police officers were mourned by thousands this week, the first members of the NYPD killed in the line of duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
Detective Rodney Andrews and Detective James Nemorin were shot in the head execution-style during a buy-and-bust gun operation gone bad on Staten Island March 10, police said. Six men have been arrested in connection with the killings.
Both detectives had close ties to Queens. Andrews moved to Middle Village last year after separating from his wife, while Nemorin lived with his family in South Ozone Park until they relocated to Baldwin Harbor, L.I. a year ago.
Funerals for both officers were held in Brooklyn. Nemorin was laid to rest Saturday, and Andrews was buried Tuesday at All Faiths Cemetery in Middle Village.
A wake for Andrews was held Sunday and Monday at the Hess Miller Funeral Home at 64-19 Metropolitan Ave. in Middle Village, where a line stretched out the front door and down the block on the first day of the viewing. Among the visitors were Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly Sunday and Gov. George Pataki Monday.
Officers in blue uniforms and dark suits stood behind the white columns that line the porch of the Colonial-style funeral home, while many more members of the force gathered on the lawn and street outside.
“He was the biggest guy, muscled. The biggest guy in the gym,” said Officer Robert Clarke, who knew Andrews from gym class at the Police Academy. “You couldn’t miss him.”
Many others who did not know Andrews personally went to the wake to support his family and honor his memory.
“It’s sad. It’s just a wasted of life,” said a Prospect Park woman who did not want to give her name. “Twenty years ago I lost a son. I just wanted to console the mother.”
“Out of respect for the families and the community, we figured we owe him to come out here and help,” said Andrew Weisgerber, 17, of Maspeth, a member of the Police Explorers program in the 104th Precinct who volunteered both days to help police control the crowds and direct traffic.
He still wants to be a police officer despite the dangers. “I want to help people,” he said. “They risk their lives, and I feel I owe them to come back and give a little back to the community.”
Local merchants and neighbors in Middle Village also paid their respects.
“This guy did his job. You can’t say enough,” said Nino Larocca of Fortunato’s Pizzeria, a block from the funeral home. “Only the good die young, they say.”
Andrews, 34, is survived by his wife, Maryann; his children Christian, 12, and Justin, 11; his mother, Patricia Marion; and his sister, Neulinda Bryant.
Nemorin, who friends said spent every weekend renovating and fixing up his Long Island house, was buried Saturday in Brooklyn at Andrew Torregrossa and Sons Funeral Home.
The native Haitian, who had three children aged 7, 5 and 20 months, had lived in South Ozone Park until last year when he and his wife, Rose, bought their Marine Park home. The couple had just taken their children to Disney World.
Nemorin’s funeral was attended by several hundred state and local police officers, as well as firefighters and undercover police officers who knew him well.
Kelly and Bloomberg posthumously promoted the two police officers to the rank of detective first grade, which means more benefits for their family members. This is the first time an officer has been elevated to that rank after her or she had been killed.
Reach reporter Dustin Brown by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
