Adeed Fayaz: NYPD grants line-of-duty benefits to family of cop who died preventing Brooklyn robbery

BROOKYLN, NEW YORK: The family of an off-duty NYPD officer, who lost his life while attempting to thwart a thief in a Brooklyn robbery, will receive his complete line-of-duty death benefits. 

These benefits encompass the deceased NYPD officer's salary and lifelong medical benefits. In a tearful interview, the officer's wife expressed gratitude for the support provided by the PBA. Additionally, the officer's father shared his son's dream of helping people.

The father claimed, “Sometimes he’d work 24 hours and when he’d come home he’d never show he’s tired or anything, He always wanted to go back to work again. He loves being a police officer.”

NYCP Pension Fund offers reward to Adeed Fayaaz’s family

For context, On February 04, Police Officer Adeed Fayaz, 26, met a tragic end while attempting to purchase a Honda Pilot in East New York with his brother-in-law, falling victim to a fatal shooting he encountered through a Facebook Marketplace listing.

Following the tragic incident, Widow Madiha Sabeel, 30, anxiously awaited confirmation on whether she and her sons, Rayaan, 5, and Zayaan, 4, would be entitled to hero benefits. 

The uncertainty stemmed from the fact that Fayaz was off-duty during the incident. Fortunately, officials recognized his courageous response to the crime, ultimately granting his family his full $60,000 salary along with lifelong medical benefits.

Had he not been granted full line-of-duty status, the family would have received a one-time lump sum payment of approximately $180,000, equivalent to three times his annual salary. 

The New York City Police Pension Fund conveyed the decision to award Fayaz line-of-duty death status to the family on December 12.

Sabeel claimed, "The PBA didn’t give up on us and they stood with us, At one point, even we thought we’re probably not going to get it but the PBA stuck with us and this is now going to help the kids.” 

The assailant, Randy Jones, with a criminal history including 22 arrests for offenses such as grand larceny, harassment, and strangulation, ambushed the pair when they arrived with $24,000 in cash to purchase the car. 

Fayaz engaged in a firefight, but a bullet tragically struck him in the head. His brother-in-law managed to take control of the officer's firearm and shot Jones, who survived the encounter.

Jones has since been charged with murder and is incarcerated on Rikers Island awaiting trial. 

What did PBA President Patrick Hendry say about Fayaz?

According to PBA President Patrick Hendry, the union informed the pension fund that Fayaz was engaging in essential police action to safeguard his brother-in-law when he discharged his firearm at Jones.

Henry expressed, "As long as we have that shield in our pocket, we’re going to help everyone who needs it on the streets, whether it’s stepping in to help a stranger or a family member in danger, and that’s what happened in this case." 

Hendry added, "Adeed saw his brother-in-law in danger. He didn’t run the other way. He took police action, running toward the situation and putting himself at risk, and unfortunately, it cost him his life" as per New York Post.