Slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's wake draws hundreds on Long Island
MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. -- There was another large turnout at the second wake for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in Massapequa Park on Friday.
Sunny skies replaced Thursday's soaking rains for the thousands standing in line Friday, but the mood was still dark in Massapequa Park.
"He was doing his duty, and I just feel in my heart to be here," one mourner said.
"Didn't have to happen. The laws need to be changed," another mourner said.
Law enforcement and everyday New Yorkers turned out to support the 31-year-old officer's heartbroken family, filing past back-the-blue memorial flowers and images of Diller's wife, Stephanie, and their 1-year-old son, Ryan.
"I don't know what's happened to the world. No one has any regard for police officers, for life period, and all lives matter," Massapequa resident Elisabeth George said. "There is no respect for life and the people who protect us. I don't get it."
One day after former President Donald Trump and Mayor Eric Adams paid respects, Gov. Kathy Hochul visited. Witnesses say the officer's family gave her an earful about criminal justice policy, and as the governor exited, others in the lobby told her to get out.
A spokesman for Hochul said she attended the officer's wake to "offer her condolences and hear from his loved ones who are dealing with unimaginable grief."
Watch Carolyn Gusoff's report
Many in the Republican stronghold blame the officer's death on New York's bail laws.
The men charged -- Guy Rivera, the alleged gunman, and Lindy Jones, who was allegedly driving the car -- have extensive criminal histories. In fact, Jones was just arrested last year on a weapons charged and released on bail. He was due back in court this Monday. Previously, he's been arrested two dozen times.
"He should not have been bail eligible, period," Republican Congressman Mike Lawler said.
Lawler said Hochul should not have attended the wake, even though she's signed multiple revisions to that controversial 2019 bail reform law.
"And the changes she has made are a joke. New York state is the only state that does not have a dangerousness standard," Lawler said.
"The governor should be focusing on fixing the issue of cashless bail in Albany," Rep. Andrew Garbarino said.
"I'm angry that this continuing revolving door of criminal justice is allowing people to be hurt, and those that say that cashless bail and criminal justice reform hasn't increased crime -- I'm not sure where they're looking because it's not true," Rep. Anthony D'Esposito said.
D'Esposito, just back from the Vatican, delivered rosary beads blessed by the Pope for Diller's son.
Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan was also among the mourners paying their respects Friday night.
"I feel like, you know, sometimes we say this and it almost becomes like a cliche, but it's very clear to me that we're part of a family. We're part of something beyond us, alright, and when you see this today, the solidarity and the unity and when you just see how something this evil can bring people together in love, you just think there is a God and no wonder why we call this Friday good," Dolan said.
As condolences pour in, so are donations. Partial proceeds from hundreds of pizza pies and smoothies at local stores will be shared with the Diller family.
"That family is never, she's never really gonna have the same life again. like, you know, knowing that her husband went to work and everything and now he's not gonna be there ... This was something we needed to help with," said Caitlyn Cummings, at Sgambati's Pizza.
"We just want to give back because the family has already been through way too much, so whatever we can do to help," said Lauren Prestia, manager at Tropical Smoothie.
Diller was also honored with a moment of silence before the Mets' home opener, and a convoy of marked police vehicles from nearly 50 police departments in Westchester County and the Hudson Valley traveled from Valhalla to Patrol Borough Queens South and the 105th Precinct with memorial wreaths for Diller's colleagues.
The message to this family is that even after the crowd of thousands are gone, Diller's sacrifice will never be forgotten.
The funeral for Diller will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
Police say Merrick Road from Hicksville Road to Park Boulevard will be closed in both directions from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drivers should expect delays and intermittent closures on surrounding roads.
The NYPD says no parking will be allowed at the following locations:
- On Merrick Road from Hicksville Road to Park Boulevard,
- On Park Boulevard from Merrick Road to Sunrise Highway,
- Massapequa High School,
- Southgate Shopping Center,
- And Burns Park.
CBS News New York will stream live coverage of the funeral.
