Police, Community Mourn Fallen Police Officer

Police officers stand at attention and salute as the body of Detective Didarul Islam is carried through the streets of Parkchester on July 31. -Photo by David Greene

By David Greene

Bronx Voice

August 1, 2025

BRONX - Thousands of police officers from across the metropolitan area and beyond gathered at the Parkchester Jame Masjid on Virginia Avenue to pay their respects and say goodbye to fallen police officer Didarul Islam, 36.

Islam was one of four people killed by ‘active shooter’ Shane Tamura, who walked into a midtown office building with an assault rifle on July 28. The gunman later fatally turned the gun on himself.

On July 31, officers flooded the surrounding streets as several roadblocks were set up in the area with Sanitation trucks blocking several intersections.

Public officials in attendance included Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, Borough President Vanessa Gibson, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Congressman Adriano Espaillot (NY-13), Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) and Councilman Yousef Salaam (D-9.)

Observed in the crowd included Mayoral candidates Irene Estrada (Conservative Party), Curtis Sliwa (Republican) and Andrew Cuomo (Independent) and the incumbent Adams who is also running on the Independent Party’s platform.

Speaking to the crowd during the funeral service, Hochul said, “Today our hearts are broken. The dam is searing. They’re a family that expected to see their beloved son, husband, father for many more dinners, birthdays and life celebrations.”

Hochul continued, “But because of a madman who traveled a thousand miles with such evil in his heart to come and destroy all that is good about New York City.”

Adams said, “This murder and the murder of others who were in the building, it cut me to my core. I spent my entire life defending and fighting for innocent people of this city and each death I take personal because as a mayor I am responsible for the safety of New Yorkers.”

Police Commissioner Tisch said of Islam, “He stepped into a new land and chose to become part of its promise to believe in its dream, and he did believe in the American dream not as something handed down, but as something built with your own hands.”

Tisch stated that officer Islam had worked the Bronx Dominican Day Parade the day before he was killed. In her closing comments she announced that Islam would be posthumously promoted to Detective, First Grade as NYPD officers in attendance stood and applauded.

Islam’s brother-in-law, police officer Kamrul Hasan who called Islam his “protector” and “best friend,” told the crowd, “Anything, everything anybody needed, anything, they come to us. He was helping everybody.”

Hasan concluded, “On behalf of our whole family I would like to thank everybody for coming here and staying with us and being here for us.”

NYPD pallbearers carried the NYPD flag draped coffin across Virginia Avenue to White Plains Road where thousands of officers lined the street. Family and friends followed the casket. Just as the casket made it to White Plains Road when the rain started to fall.