Hundreds of people are expected to attend the funeral for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Long Island.
Local roads were closed by 7:30 a.m. in preparation for a service at St. Rose of Lima RC Church in Massapequa, which was decorated with American flags.
Dozens of homes had blue ribbons tied to their trees, and flags at others were flying at half-staff.
Uniformed police officers with K9s at their sides also roamed the area, and loudspeakers were set up about a block away from the church in case of a potential spill.
Three members of Diller’s wife’s family, including her brother and cousin, will march at the front of the NYPD Pipe Band during the procession.
Saturday’s service follows two days of emotional visitation at a nearby funeral home.
The first day of proceedings included a stop by former President Donald Trump, who flew into Nassau County for the event.
President Trump spent 40 minutes inside the funeral home, speaking with Diller’s widow, Stephanie, 29, and meeting the couple’s 1-year-old son, Ryan.
“I said something has to come out of it. And the only thing you can really think of that will come out of it is if we make sure that something like this doesn’t happen. It’s about getting stronger and tougher,” he told the Post. A grieving family.
Trump was specifically invited to this crowded viewing by his family, he claimed.
Diller’s brother-in-law, NYPD officer Jonathan McCauley, shared a photo of the real estate mogul embracing a female family member.
“No words needed,” he captioned the post.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also visited with her family during the tour Friday afternoon, but her brief visit quickly became mired in drama.
What you need to know about the shooting death of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller:
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Hochul, who had previously contacted the NYPD, the New York City Police Benevolent Association and the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association about attending, arrived at the funeral home around 1:45 p.m.
While inside, Hochul had an “animated” conversation with Stephanie Diller, one witness told the Post.
“[It looked] like she said [Hochul] It’s off,” they said of the tense exchange. “The widow didn’t seem to have kind words to say.”
Witnesses said Hochul left shortly after.
But another official said the governor had a “short, respectful conversation” with the devastated family.
“She greeted her family and then left,” they told the Post, adding that she had been inside for “10 to 15 minutes.”
“It was a short, respectful visit. She was not asked to leave,” the source added.
As Hochul was leaving, he was briefly approached by an emotional mourner, who spoke in a calm but passionate tone while making firm gestures.
The collision was witnessed by onlookers who applauded as the deputy returned to his car without expressions on his face.
There were early unconfirmed reports that Hochul, who has been criticized as the face of controversial bail reform, was asked to leave the vigil.
Diller, 31, was shot in the abdomen Monday night as he and his partner approached a parked car in Far Rockaway, Queens.
The young father lay crying on the pavement for several minutes before being taken in an unmarked police vehicle to Jamaica Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The gunman, Guy Rivera, 34, who is accused of firing from the passenger seat, has been arrested at least 21 times and served five years in prison.
When Diller’s partner returned fire, Rivera was shot in the back. He was charged Thursday with murder and weapons possession.
The driver, Lindy Jones, 41, also has a long rap sheet, including an attempted murder conviction, but was released on $75,000 after being arrested on illegal gun charges in April 2023. It was done.
Jones was charged with two counts each of second-degree and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon after police reportedly found a second gun in the car’s glove compartment.
The 9mm serial number is said to have been scratched off.
Mayor Eric Adams criticized lawmakers the day after the shooting, accusing them of contributing to increased recidivism rates.
How Post Readers Can Help
You can support Officer Jonathan Diller’s one-year-old son through the Silver Shield Foundation and help fund his future education. Diller, 31, was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens, leaving behind his wife, Stephanie, and his baby, Ryan.
The Silver Shield Foundation was established in 1982 by the late New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner to benefit the families of NYPD police officers and New York City Fire Department firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.
You can contribute with silvershieldfoundation.org/donate or write to Silver Shield Foundation, 870 UN Plaza, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10017.
“We’ve always had a problem with recidivism. It’s always been a problem, but we’ve never focused on it as case after case happens,” said a former NYPD lieutenant. he told reporters on Tuesday.
Mr. Adams is scheduled to speak at Mr. Diller’s funeral mass, his office confirmed.
However, council members were warned not to attend in a scathing letter from SBA President Vincent Vallelong.
“They hate police officers and have no appreciation for what they do at all. They shouldn’t stay home and pretend to be sad. They’ve caused enough heartbreak and destruction,” Valerong said. he insisted, adding that their presence “leads a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
