NYPD Officer Slain: Suspected Gunman Charged; Jonathan Diller’s wake in Massapequa Park
NEW YORK (WABC) — The alleged gunman has been charged as the bereaved loved ones of fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller gather Thursday to say their final goodbyes.
Guy Rivera, 34, was indicted Thursday for murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon. He remains hospitalized at Jamaica Hospital and is being held without bail.
Crystal Cranmore has more on the events following the shooting death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller.
The other suspect arrested in Diller’s death, Lindy Jones, 41, was charged Wednesday with criminal possession of a weapon and possession of a defaced weapon. He is also being held without bail.
Both former President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Eric Adams attended Diller’s first wake on Thursday afternoon.
Trump shared a sad handshake with New York Police Commissioner Edward Caban as people waited en masse outside the funeral home to pay their respects.
Not even the pouring rain could compete with the tears shed during the wake. There was NYPD blue everywhere, from the ribbons, the floral arrangements, and Trump’s massive security presence.
Chantee Lans has more on Officer Jonathan Diller’s wake in Massapequa Park
“The police are the best people we have, there is nothing and no one like them and this should never happen,” Trump said. “I just visited a very beautiful wife who now has no husband.”
“I received a call from the president just moments ago sending me his condolences and I will pass them on to the family, but we are really shocked by the loss,” Adams said.
Diller was in law enforcement for three years and leaves behind a wife and nearly 1-year-old son. He was fatally shot in Queens during what should have been a routine traffic stop.
Thursday’s wake is just the beginning of a difficult time for Diller’s family and his brothers and sisters in blue.
Before Thursday’s wake, Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags on all state buildings to fly at half-staff in Diller’s honor.
“New Yorkers are mourning the loss of Officer Jonathan Diller, a heroic young man who dedicated his life to public safety and serving the people,” said Governor Hochul. “Our prayers are with his family, his loved ones, and his NYPD colleagues as they grieve this tragic and senseless loss.”
Diller’s community in Massapequa Park remains stunned and lost. In a letter to families, Massapequa Public Schools wrote that it would close Thursday due to multiple road closures and increased traffic related to the vigil.
Another viewing is scheduled for Friday and a funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning, before Diller is laid to rest.
TO GoFundMe page The officer’s family has raised more than $500,000, and the Tunnels to Towers Foundation announced it will pay off the mortgage on Diller’s home.
SEE ALSO | The dignified transfer of fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
Shannon Sohn was live on NewsCopter 7 covering the dignified transfer of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was taken to a funeral home on Long Island.
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