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A sea of blue filled the streets of New York City on Thursday as officers gathered to mourn the loss of one of their own, Officer Didarul Islam, who was tragically killed in a shooting earlier this week.
Islam, a 36-year-old immigrant from Bangladesh and a father of two with a third child on the way, was posthumously promoted to Detective First Grade at his funeral. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch bestowed the honor, calling it “one of this department’s most respected honors,” and praising Islam’s embodiment of “steadiness, selflessness, and a commitment to serve.”
A message from Islam’s wife, read by a friend, expressed her heartbreak while also acknowledging the potential lives her husband saved. She thanked the NYPD and the community for their support, emphasizing the vital role the department plays in the city.
The funeral services began with a viewing at Parkchester Jame Masjid in the Bronx, where rows of officers in dress uniform stood in solemn tribute. A prayer service followed, and Islam was laid to rest in a cemetery in Totowa, New Jersey.
Islam, who was off-duty and working security at the time of the shooting, served in a Bronx precinct. The building housed several businesses, including investment firm Blackstone and the NFL headquarters. He had previously been a school safety agent before becoming a patrol officer less than four years ago.
Mayor Eric Adams, himself a former NYPD officer, and Governor Kathy Hochul attended the funeral, paying their respects to the fallen officer and his family. Adams described Islam as a “true blue New Yorker.”
Police identified the gunman as 27-year-old Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas resident with a history of mental health struggles. Tamura reportedly opened fire in the building’s lobby before moving to another floor and ultimately taking his own life.