Flags at half-staff, candlelight vigil planned on Long Island for fallen NYPD officer

MASSAPEQUA PARK, N.Y. (PIX11) – Flags stood at half-staff Tuesday across the Town of Oyster Bay, including the hometown of late NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot while on duty in Queens on Monday.

“Our heart breaks for Officer Diller’s wife, small child and family,” said Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, who ordered flags to fly lower at county, town, and village facilities.

NYPD officer shot and killed in Queens: ‘We lost one of our sons today’

On Wednesday, a candlelight vigil will be held at Brady Park in Massapequa Park at 7 p.m. to honor the 31-year-old officer.

“His bravery and selflessness made him a model officer to his brothers and sisters in law enforcement, who risk their lives each and every day to protect ours,” Saladino said. “In gathering as a community to join together in mourning, we pay tribute to Officer Diller’s courage and honor his memory.”

Diller was shot in the torso around 5:50 p.m. Monday during a vehicle stop on Mott Avenue near Smith Place, according to NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban. As Diller and his partner ordered the suspect to exit the vehicle, the passenger pointed a firearm at the officers and shot him, Caban said.

“Shots were fired, and one of our officers was struck,” Caban said.

Diller was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but could not be saved, Caban said. The bullet had gone underneath his bullet-resistant vest, according to the police commissioner.

“Make no mistake, we should not be here right now. We should never be here,” Caban said.

Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered local news for years. She has been with PIX11 since 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

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