Mourners pay respect to slain NYPD officer’s family: ‘This should never happen’
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LONG ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — A brisk wind and cold rain could not wash away the sadness or keep hundreds of mourners from Massapequa Park Thursday night.
“I support our law enforcement protecting us; this should never happen,” said Paolina Desantis of Suffolk County.
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It was a day filled with tearful goodbyes to Jonathan Diller – as his suspected killer, Guy Rivera was in court officially charged with murder.
A 31-year-old NYPD officer was gunned down during a traffic stop Monday in Far Rockaway, Queens.
A steady stream of mourners paid their respects to his wife, Stephanie, and one-year-old baby, Ryan.
“There’s a lot of people in there comforting her and supporting her husband,” Michael Desantis said. The retired police officer’s nephew was one of Diller’s partners.
Among those visiting with the family – Mayor Eric Adams, who relayed a message from President Joe Biden, “He’s sending his condolences; I will convey those to the family. But we are truly impacted by the loss.”
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The Diller family also welcomed former President Donald Trump to the funeral home. “A very beautiful wife that now doesn’t have her husband. Stephanie was just incredible. Their child, a brand new, beautiful baby, is sitting there, innocent as can be,” Mr. Trump said.
The family has been overwhelmed by support this past week, with millions of dollars in donations pouring in, including from a fundraiser organized by Barstool Sports.
Tunnel to Towers has once again stepped in to pay off the Diller’s mortgage, an organization the family has supported in the past.
“Ironically, I bet they never thought their support of Tunnel to Towers would actually affect directly one of their members of the family,” John Huvane said following the donation.
The community giving back to a man who gave his life for the city.
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