The New York Islanders will dedicate proceeds from Saturday’s 50/50 drawing to the family of murdered NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, a huge fan of the Long Island-based team.
The NHL team announced the benefit at the start of Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks, after observing a moment of silence for the 31-year-old police officer who was shot and killed during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens last week. Announced.
The purse will benefit Diller’s widow, Stephanie, and the couple’s 1-year-old son, Ryan.
“Tonight, the #Iles observed a moment of silence and lit a blue lantern at UBS Arena in memory of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on March 25th,” the Isles announced on social media.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and loved ones.”
Diller, a native of Massapuequa, was such an avid Islanders fan that the priest presiding over his funeral implored mourners to “pray for the Islanders.”
That night, the team projected a statement on the jumbotron in memory of the fallen officers.
“MSG Networks and the New York Islanders organization extend our condolences to the family, friends, and fellow officers of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. Stephanie and Ryan, we are thinking of you all during this difficult time. “We are thinking about it,” the team said. he said on Saturday.
The 50-50 drawing in honor of Diller will take place during the Isles’ home game against the Nashville Predators at UBS Arena in Elmont.
The team hosts 50/50 raffles at nearly every game, home and away, to benefit charities ranging from the Tunnel to the Towers to the Alzheimer’s Association.
So far, the biggest prize pot of the season is the October purse at $84,800.
Diller, a three-year veteran of the department, was killed when he approached two men in a car parked at a bus stop, NYPD officials said. Both are career criminals with dozens of prior arrests.
In the ensuing scuffle, passenger Guy Rivera, 34, fatally shot the officer just below his bulletproof vest, police and officials said.
Rivera, who has 21 prior arrests and was found to have a shiv stored in his rectum at the time of the shooting, appears to have expected to be sent to prison again.
Lindy Jones, an ex-convict who was behind the wheel during the shooting, was also arrested after a second gun was found in the car.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban gave Ryan the badge number 110, a nod to his birthday, and promoted him to the rank of detective after Mr. Diller’s death at his funeral Saturday.
