Jonathan Diller was shot and killed at the age of 31 while investigating an illegally-parked car in Queens. He was a three-year veteran of the NYPD.
Photo courtesy of the NYPD
(Massapequa Park, NY) – Saturday, a sun-splashed but windy day in New York, marks the final goodbyes for friends and family — after 31-year-old NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was killed earlier this week in the line of duty. Diller was investigating a car parked illegally in a bus zone when he was shot in the stomach and struck just under his bullet-resistant vest. Rushed to the hospital, he died, leaving behind a wife and young child.
The Massapequa Park community where Diller lived has rallied around his family and the NYPD community. In recent days a florist handed out blue ribbons, and thousands attended a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night. Top officials attended his wake, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and former President Trump. The Diller family had invited Trump to attend. He criticized New York’s approach to crime in comments delivered afterwards.
At one point during the wake on Friday, Hochul spoke to Diller’s widow. She reportedly urged the governor to reform the state’s bail laws, which changed significantly in 2019, reducing judges’ and prosecutors’ ability to jail allegedly violent offenders ahead of trial. Guy Rivera, Diller’s alleged killer, was previously arrested 21 times. He was apparently arrested last April with a gun. Many have said this is a prime example of how New York’s bail laws are broken and result in violent offenders being out on the street.
Diller’s funeral is being held today, after which he’ll be laid to rest. His family’s mortgage has reportedly been paid off by the Tunnel to Towers foundation.
