Street renamed in honor of fallen NYPD Officer Adeed Fayaz
DEER PARK, N.Y. - A fallen NYPD officer's name is now forever etched into his hometown.
A street renaming ceremony was held Saturday on Long Island for Officer Adeed Fayaz.
"He lives in my heart," said Fayaz's wife, Madiha Fayaz.
His name is now honorably displayed in the same Deer Park neighborhood he lived with his two young sons and wife, who shed endless tears at Saturday's ceremony.
"Today, it is five months and 13 days ... since my husband, Adeed Fayaz, passed away," she said. "He's not only my husband. He's my whole world."
Officer Fayaz, who is from Pakistan, was just 26 when he was shot and killed trying to buy an SUV in Brooklyn in February. Investigators say it happened during an attempted robbery while he was off-duty.
Still, the department memorialized him as they would an officer who was killed on the job.
"His dedication to the City of New York was truly remarkable. From his early days as an axillary officer in the 115 to his time as a police officer in the 66 Precinct, his commitment to protecting our neighborhoods, fostering relationships with our communities, was truly commendable," said First Deputy Commissioner Tanya Kinsella.
"This street being renamed after Adeed will stand as a testament to his service of the City of New York and, in particular, the wonderful community of Borough Park and his family, friends and all those who may not have had privilege to know him," said Brooklyn South Assistant Chief Charles McEvoy.
"As far as what I can personally attest to my buddy, he always had a positive attitude, he was always smiling and he was always confident," one man said.
Hundreds with heavy hearts gathered at West Fourth Street between Grand Boulevard and Park Avenue for the special honor for the fallen hero, including his parents, friends and colleagues.
"We want this sign to stand here for a very long time so that everyone who comes by this street and is able to see the family home here on Grand Boulevard and West Fourth Street will be able to know just who Police Officer Adeed Fayaz was," Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer said.
His family says the five-year veteran of the NYPD dreamed of working in the aviation unit and was the light of their lives.
The gunman was later caught and charged with murder.
