The family of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller shared a deeply moving account of former President Donald Trump’s visit to the wake of the fallen hero. Officer Diller, a 31-year-old dedicated servant of New York City, was tragically killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop by a known felon, leaving behind a grieving family and a city in mourning.
Inside the solemn halls of the funeral home, the atmosphere was one of profound sadness mingled with respect and gratitude for Diller who had given his life in the line of duty. Trump was described by attendees as a “source of comfort” to the bereaved family according to Bruce Blakeman, a Nassua County Executive.
“President Trump was there,” Blakeman recounted, “and I have to tell you that he was a source of comfort to the family. He spent over ten minutes with Stephanie, the widow, in private.”
After his private moment with, Stephanie, Trump approached the casket to pay his respects, then turned his attention to each family member, offering condolences and signing a mass card upon request. In a particularly tender moment, Diller’s grandmother also sought and received a comforting embrace from Trump.
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What followed was an unprecedented show of appreciation for Trump’s act of kindness and compassion. As he departed, over 200 friends and family members broke into a spontaneous ovation.
Paul Morrow noted the importance of such gestures at a time when police officers often feel under appreciated and unsupported. “Everybody was very appreciative of President Trump’s attendance.”
“It means a lot to police who these days don’t really feel like they’re part of a system that supports them, that appreciates them” Morrow said.
Diller, a dedicated and much-respected member of the NYPD, had served the city with distinction for over three years, making more than 70 arrests during his tenure. His commitment to duty and the well-being of New York’s citizens made him a valued member of what his relatives called “the real Blue Bloods family,” a nod to the CBS series that celebrates a family’s legacy within the NYPD.
NYPD reported that 34-year-old Guy Rivera, a passenger in the vehicle, did not comply with orders to exit the car and instead aimed a firearm at Diller and fired it. New York Mayor Eric Adams revealed that Rivera has a history of over 20 arrests.
The shot hit Diller below his bullet-proof vest in the stomach area. In response, Diller’s partner shot back, injuring the car’s passenger, who was also hospitalized. Diller was then quickly transported to Jamaica Hospital but succumbed to his injuries there.
“One of the two suspects that was in the car here was caught with a gun just last year, and he is out on bail right now with his partner. And he’s convicted. He has a violent past. That guy should be held in jail, in prison; he should not be out here walking amongst the citizens of New York City,” NYPD Officer Larkin said.
“That’s the problem right there: holding these guys accountable that are committing the crimes. It’s not the gun; it’s our lack of prosecution that is holding these people accountable.”
Diller leaves behind a wife, Stephanie, and a 1-year-old son, Ryan, who now face the daunting task of moving forward without their beloved husband and father.
