BY LUIS MONGE
A funeral service was held at Makki Masjid Muslim Community Center in Brooklyn for the late New York Police Department Officer Adeed Fayaz on Thursday, Feb. 9. Thousands of NYPD officers, family and community members mourned the loss of Fayaz.
Fayaz was shot in the head and killed while off-duty in Brooklyn when he was trying to buy a car for his growing family on Saturday, Feb 4. Fayaz leaves behind two children and a wife.
To the family, our hearts are broken but our arms are strong. We will hold and lift you up and show you that your son, your husband did not die in vain. We are in pain and just as many years ago we had to turn pain into purpose. Were at that moment again,” said Mayor Eric Adams of New York City, while giving a speech at the Mosque on Feb. 9.
One of Fayaz’s uncles gave an emotional speech, which could be heard from inside the mosque and outside. “I’m not gonna cry for my nephew anymore, I’m just gonna hold on to his legacy and try to be Adeed. You know people usually say I wanna be like my uncle, I might be the first uncle to say I wanna be like my nephew Adeed. That’s how good my nephew was and I thank everybody for being here and helping us get through this,” his uncle said.
Two of Fayaz’s close friends that he met during his time at Aviation High School in Long Island City, Queens were present at his funeral service.
Ahmed and Harris, who only wanted their first names used, shared how Fayaz was as a person and he meant to other people.
“Adeed was probably the most down to earth guy I know. Very humble, somebody that always stood up for the little guy, always there for you, would never pick up a fight, and always supportive,” Ahmed said.
Harris emotionally shared how Fayaz was as a person and who he was to him.
“He was a great family man, a great man, a great friend, actually nobody has anything negative to say about him. Anybody you ask in our graduate class of 2014 from Aviation High School – they have nothing negative about him. He was really friendly, humble to everybody and that’s how I will remember him.”
Harris also shared how Fayaz was known in high school for being friendly, and humble to everyone.
Ayaz Rubban, a community member who attended Fayaz’s funeral, said he felt moved to come out and honor the fallen officer’s life.
“He was a kind person. And I’m Pakistanian, as well, and having a brother lose his life like this is really sad. I wanted to come here to pay my respects to him,” Rubban said.