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Thousands mourn slain NYPD officer

Thousands of mourners lined the streets of the New York suburb of Massapequa on Long Island on Holy Saturday for the Catholic funeral of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed while on duty during a traffic stop last Monday.

Diller, 31, was the first New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in two years.

Diller, a three-year veteran police officer, was killed as he and his partner investigated an illegally parked car. After refusing to exit the car at Diller’s request, a passenger in the car, 34-year-old Guy Rivera of Queens, allegedly opened fire, striking Diller in the stomach just below his bullet-proof vest. He died later at a local hospital. Diller’s partner returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was treated at the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder, CBS News reported. According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Rivera had more than 20 prior arrests.

The 31-year-old officer left behind his wife, Stephanie, and 1-year-old son, Ryan.

Diller’s wife demanded changes from lawmakers while honouring her husband with a tear-jerking eulogy on Saturday, March 30.

“The city is mourning a cop. The tens of thousands of police officers outside are mourning a brother in arms. But Stephanie and Ryan are mourning their everything,” said Father Michael Duffy, who presided over the marriage of the Dillers in 2019, in his homily for the funeral service, held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church.

On the altar of St. Rose of Lima Church, Diller’s widow called his death “devastating” and “senseless.” “My husband died a hero, but he also lived as one,” Stephanie said.

“I am so proud that thousands of people across the country are calling Jonathan a hero,” she said. “But the truth is he’s always been a hero to Ryan and me. The rest of the world is just catching up.”

Stephanie recalled moments from when she dated Diller and their wedding. “When you fall in love with someone, you think you can’t possibly love them anymore than you do right now. But then you get married and you say, okay, now there is no way I can love them anymore. And then you have a child with them, and guess what? You love them even more. Jonathan taught me that true love has no limit,” she said, adding that their “life was pretty much perfect, until five days ago, when everything changed forever.”

A billboard went up in honour of Diller in Times Square on Saturday.

About 10,000 people gathered in Long Island to honour Diller.

Stephanie blasted elected officials for not doing enough to stop the increasing incidents of crimes in New York City. “How many more police officers and how many more families have to make the ultimate sacrifice before we start protecting them?” the 29-year-old said.

“It’s a shame that someone who brought so much positivity in the world, was given such a negative ending. There was so much he was looking forward to…seeing his friends become fathers and watching his son grow,” Stephanie said.

“I am eternally grateful that Jonathan made me Ryan’s mother. If am missing him, I can look at Ryan to feel close to him, because his son is just like him — always making people smile. And I promise to raise him even more like his dad. It’s hard to imagine how long I have to wait until I see Jonathan again. When the doors of heaven open for me one day, I hope to see Jonathan standing there looking at me just like he did on our wedding day,” she added.

Former President Donald Trump was invited by the family to attend the officer’s wake on Holy Thursday, NBC News reported. Trump was reported to have prayed an Our Father with the family at the wake.

Diller’s widow introduced the former president to Father Duffy there. “I was able to just say, Mr. President, thank you for being here,” Duffy told Fox News. “Would you be willing to pray with us? And he said, ‘Of course.’”

(Agencies; Picture Courtesy: NYPD/AP)

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