NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's alleged killer charged with first-degree murder of police officer
NEW YORK -- The man accused of fatally shooting NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller has been charged with murder, police say. Diller was shot and killed Monday during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.
Diller had been with the NYPD for three years and is remembered by fellow officers as a "cop's cop" who put others before himself and made people smile. The 31-year-old grew up in Franklin Square, where neighbors said he was the first to volunteer to help. He leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old son.
Suspect in NYPD officer's death charged with murder
Police say 34-year-old Guy Rivera, of Queens, is now charged with first-degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the case. He remains hospitalized with injuries from the shootout.
"Police Officer Diller was a father, husband and son simply doing his job to serve and protect. He was killed for it. As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer's life and tried to shoot another member of the NYPD," Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement announcing the charges. "We will not rest until we have achieved justice for Officer Diller, his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD who put their lives on the line to protect us."
Wake held for fallen NYPD Officer Diller in Massapequa
The charges were announced just hours before Diller's wake on Long Island. A thin blue line is painted down Merrick Road in the heart of Massapequa Park, where blue ribbons can be seen across the community.
A relentless rain seemed to mirror the flow of tears for a senseless loss of a young life.
At the Massapequa Funeral Home, loved ones, law enforcement and strangers came to honor one of New York's finest and support Diller's wife, who will now have to raise a 1-year-old without a dad.
"We're going to be donating a percentage of raffles and funds received directly to help support the family during this tragic time," said Michael Fay, with the With Purpose Foundation.
"He's only 1 years old and he's going to grow up without a dad, but he's going to have thousands of dads that are going to look after him," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said.
Amid heavy security, former President Donald Trump visited for a half hour, speaking one-on-one with Diller's wife, Stepahnie, offering what observers called words of comfort.
"Twenty-one times arrested, this thug. And the person in the car with him was arrested many times, and they don't learn because they don't respect. They are not given the respect. The police are the greatest people we have," Trump said. "We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often."
CBS New York has learned Trump had previously spoke with Diller's widow by phone. The White House said President Joe Biden also shared his condolences with New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the city's police force.
Watch Carolyn Gusoff's report
The shooting at the hands of an alleged repeat offender with an extensive criminal history has prompted outrage at New York's criminal justice laws.
"It's insanely sad and it should have never happened," one mourner said.
"What makes sense of this? It doesn't anymore, and you know what, rules and laws have got to change. Nobody is trying to look for a fight. Let's just get a change. Let's get in a room think this thing out and make a change that's good for everybody," Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said.
Among the mourners was Matt Panetta, Diller's St. Mary's High School lacrosse and hockey coach.
"He was well-liked among the faculty, his peers. Outgoing, personable, funny. Just a great kid," he said. "A prankster but funny in a good way, in a likeable way."
The wake drew the fallen officer's brothers in blue, neighbors in Massapequa Park and old friends from his hometown of Franklin Square.
"Driving past the elementary school, the flag at half staff, all the blue ribbons as you drove down the streets, it was tough," mourner Deanna Vollmer said.
"Put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, and unfortunately, this is one person that won't be coming home to their family," mourner Patrick McGrath said.
Hours before Diller was killed Monday, he shared a laugh with NYPD Officer John Groves.
"Every time you hung up the phone with him, it was, 'I love you, bye,' and if you didn't say it back, he was calling you and you'd pick up the phone and you'd just be like, 'Alright, I love you, Jon, bye,'" Groves said.
Groves had been Diller's partner in the 105 Precinct for two years.
"He was so incredibly brave about going to work, loving work, loving his wife and his son, that nothing-- you couldn't stop him from doing anything that he wanted to do," Groves said.
"It's the most tragic loss. And I couldn't imagine. None of us could image. I don't think it's really hit any of us, either. It's just such a huge loss. He was such a light," Groves' wife, Elizabeth Crayne, said.
Groves says his former partner decided to become a cop so he could do something to be proud of.
"He was very happy to be a cop, and beyond happy to be a father. He's just the happiest guy," he said.
Also offering solace was someone who knows the pain too well -- the widow of NYPD officer Paul Tuozzolo, who was also killed in the line of duty.
"When Paul was killed, a family surrounded me, my blue family surrounded me to make sure that my children and I were not forgotten, and we're all here just to do the same for her," Lisa Tuozzolo said.
Earlier Thursday morning, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation announced it will pay off the mortgage on Diller's home. The COP-SHOT organization also pledged $10,000 toward his son's education, and the Promise of Hope Foundation said it will cover his funeral expenses. The New York Police and Fire Widows' Fund is donating $50,000.
More than half a million dollars was also raised through a GoFundMe.
Thursday is the first of two days of visitation, and traffic is expected to be heavy. Another wake is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Massapequa Funeral Home, followed by the funeral at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church.