NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — The funeral service for fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was killed while on-duty in Queens on Monday, began at 10:30 a.m. in Massapequa on Saturday. Thousands of community members and officials attended, and Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Edward Caban and Diller’s wife, Stephanie, were among the speakers.
Diller, 31, lived in Massapequa Park on Long Island with his wife and the couple's young son, Ryan.
A livestream of the funeral, provided by City Hall, is below.
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Stephanie Diller eulogizes her late husband, calls for the city to be tougher on crime
In an emotional euology, Diller's widow, Stephanie, spoke in front of the massive crowd and offered her thanks for the love and support her family has received, and for the honor being bestowed on her late husband,
“I am so proud that thousands of people across the country are calling Jonathan a hero. But the truth is, he has always been a hero to Ryan and me. The rest of the world is just catching up," Stephanie said.
She also used her speech as an opportunity to give insight into who Diller was outside of his role in the NYPD.
“While he was beyond proud to be a member of the NYPD, his career was only one of his many roles. I also want to honor Jonathan for who he was out of the uniform," Stephanie said.
“He was a connector, the kind of guy that would draw people in and could find something in common with everyone. A friend to everyone," she added.
Stephanie took the time to reflect on the beginning of her relationship with Diller, sharing the story of their first date to laughs from the crowd.
“He was so tired from work that he fell asleep in the movie theater," Stephanie said. "He started snoring so loudly that the people around us asked me to wake him up. But of course, if you ever ask him the story, I’m the one who fell asleep, started snoring and embarrassed him.”
But the heartwarming reflection brought only momentary levity to the somber occasion, and Stephanie took time in her speech to call on NYC to be tougher on crime.
“At the funeral for Detective Rivera two and a half years ago, his wife Dominique pleaded for change,” Stephanie said, "That change never came and now my son will never know his father and I will grow old without my husband.”
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban speaks, promotes Diller
Caban spoke on Saturday and honored the relationship that Diller shared with his fellow law enforcement officers, and the city itself.
“When you talk to the cops who worked at John, they’ll tell you: There was a time in their career before they worked with him, and then, there was everything that came after. He was special. He left a lasting impression," Caban said.
The commissioner focused on the work that the NYPD does, and the goal of police to keep the city safe for everyone.
“We told him to go out there and make this city a better place to live, to work, and raise a family. And that’s exactly what he did," Caban stated.
Near the end of his remarks, Caban offered a posthumous honor to Diller: promotion to Detective First Grade. Diller's new shield number is his son's birthday, 110.
“We will honor John in many different ways. For the hero he was, for the life he lived, and uphold our most solemn vow to never forget. That eternal recognition begins today. As I’m honored, and privileged, to promote Police Officer Jonathan Diller to Detective First Grade," he shared.
Mayor Eric Adams gives remarks
Adams took to the podium to offer his condolences and honor the memory of Diller. He referenced the Holy Triduum and religion in his speech, while expressing the love and gratitude the city feels for the fallen officer.
“This morning when I got up and do my prayers, I got on my knees, I asked for some way of articulating to Stephanie how much this city loved your husband," Adams said.
The mayor referenced scripture directly during the Catholic mass service, honoring the idea of sacrifice.
“And just in similarities, as I reflected on the sacrifice that Jesus made, what it means to give your life to your family. I thought about John 15 in 13, ‘greater love have no one than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends,’” Adams said.
The community prepares for the funeral
Massive crowds of mourners and police were seen preparing for the funeral at Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, and the Nassau County Police Department shut down Merrick Road (from Hicksville Road to Park Boulevard) from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. to accommodate the large attendance.
Flags are being flown at half-mast in Diller’s honor, both in the vicinity of the funeral, and at all state buildings, per the order of Gov. Kathy Hochul.
"His heroism and dedication to protecting New Yorkers will never be forgotten. Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and the NYPD as they grieve this senseless loss," the governor wrote.
The man accused of shooting Diller earlier this week during a traffic stop was charged on Thursday with murder, while another man who was driving the car Diller confronted was hit with weapons charges on Wednesday.
The week has been full of mourning for the community, with a candlelight vigil in Massapequa Park on Wednesday and open visitation hours at back-to-back wakes on Thursday and Friday. Former President Donald Trump, Adams and Hochul were among those who paid their respects.