Stephanie Diller, the widow of New York Police Department (NYPD) Officer Jonathan Diller, a three-year veteran of the NYPD on the specialized Community Response Team, who was shot and killed March 25 during traffic stop, follows his casket as they depart the St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Massapequa Park, New York, U.S., March 30, 2024. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
(New York, NY) – The jury reached a split verdict on the shooting death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller. On Wednesday night, the man accused of killing Diller in a traffic stop gone wrong was cleared on the top charge of first-degree murder but he was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree. Guy Rivera, 36, has been convicted in the death of Diller, who was posthumously promoted to Detective. Diller was killed by Rivera in Far Rockaway March 2024. The entire ordeal was caught on body – camera.
The defense argued that Rivera never meant to kill Diller. The defense attorney actually pinned the blame on Diller’s partner, Sgt. Sasha Rosen, for triggering an accidental discharge. Prosecutors highlighted the criminal history of Rivera, who has previously been busted 21 times. NYPD officials have slammed the verdict as a disappointment.
Two years ago, Detective Jonathan Diller was ruthlessly murdered in the line of duty while he was doing his job to protect this city. Jonathan did this work without question — he stepped towards danger while others ran away. There is no greater testament to a person’s character…
— Jessica S. Tisch (@NYPDPC) April 1, 2026
Rivera was found guilty of four of the five counts. He is set to be sentenced on April 27, and he faces up to 90 years behind bars.
