A towering figure in New York City law enforcement who became the first Italian-American appointed to the rank of first deputy police commissioner, Tosano Simonetti, of Oakwood, died Monday at the age of 91. Prior to holding one of the highest ranks in the NYPD, Simonetti, known as “Tough Tony,’' led Patrol Borough Staten Island.

He was known across New York City for his four-decade career serving the NYPD. Born on March 3, 1934, in Brooklyn, Simonetti married the love of his life, Sally, and together they had two children, Diane and Anthony, whom he loved dearly, his online obituary said.