FAR ROCKAWAY, Queens (WABC) — A community in Queens, the NYPD and a young family are mourning the loss of Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Queens.
Diller, 31, who lived in Massapequa Park with his wife Stephanie and their almost 1-year-old son, joined the NYPD in February 2021.
Authorities say Diller and another officer were conducting the traffic stop on Mott Avenue around 5:45 p.m. Monday. The NYPD's Critical Response Team has focused on cars with fake license plates, illegal tint or other quality of life issues.
NYPD officials say officers stopped the vehicle, which had two men inside, because it was parked illegally at a bus stop. Investigators believe they were investigating a nearby T-Mobile store.
When officers asked the individuals to exit the vehicle, the suspect in the passenger seat refused and pointed a gun at officers.
I can't say it any clearer: it's the good guys against the bad guys.
Guy Rivera, 34, is accused of shooting Diller, who was hit in the torso, just below his bulletproof vest. Authorities say Diller's partner then shot Rivera, hitting him in the back.
Diller was rushed to Jamaica Hospital in critical condition and later died.
His remains were taken from Jamaica Hospital shortly after 11:30 pm on Monday night to be taken to the medical examiner's office. Hundreds of officers stood at attention, along with Diller's family, accompanied by Police Commissioner Edward Caban, as they cried nearby.
Shannon Sohn was on NewsCopter 7 following Officer Diller's dignified transfer to a funeral home in Massapequa Tuesday night.
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.
As for the second agent, he was taken to the hospital with tinnitus.
The other suspect has been identified as 41-year-old Lindy Jones. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
One of the men is at Jamaica Hospital, while the other is at a police station. No official charges have been announced.
Records show Rivera has been arrested by the NYPD 21 times, nine of them for felonies. He was released from prison in September 2021 after serving nearly five years for criminal sale of a controlled substance. He previously spent three years in state prison for an assault in 2011 and was released in October 2014.
Jones has 14 prior arrests. He was arrested for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded firearm in Far Rockaway on April 17, 2023. He was free on $75,000 bond. He previously served 10 years in prison for attempted murder and robbery in 2003 and was released in November 2013.
Both men's extensive criminal records left Mayor Eric Adams outraged and called this incident a repeat crime issue.
“The same bad people, doing bad things to good people, in less than a year they are back on the streets with another weapon,” Adams said. “The person had a complete disregard for the safety of this city. I can't say it more clearly: it's the good guys versus the bad guys. And these bad guys are violent. They carry guns. And the symbol of our public safety, what is that police uniform? , for whom they have total contempt.”
Adams said the shooting of Officer Diller is “extremely painful for this city.”
“There will be a lot of time for anger, grief and processing grief, but right now, our prayers are with our fallen officer's family, his fellow police officers and every member of the New York City Police Department, but most importantly everything, them”. “We are with the officer himself,” Caban said.
Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement in response to the “senseless” killing.
“My prayers are with his family, his loved ones and the members of the NYPD,” Hochul said. “His heroism and service will never be forgotten.”
This is the first NYPD officer killed in the line of duty since 2022, when officers Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera were shot to death in a Harlem apartment building after responding to a domestic disturbance call.
A visitation for Diller will be held Thursday and Friday at the Massapequa Funeral Home, while the funeral is scheduled for Saturday at St. Rose of Lima RC Church.
Mayor Adams provides an update on the shooting death of an NYPD officer in Queens on Monday night.
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