NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The man convicted of fatally shooting an NYPD officer in Far Rockaway in 2024 was handed a prison sentence of 115 years to life on Monday.
Guy Rivera will "never be free again to terrorize the streets of NYC," Queens D.A. Melinda Katz said in a statement after the sentencing.
Rivera, 36, was convicted on April 1 of aggravated manslaughter, but acquitted of first-degree murder, in the killing of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller on March 25, 2024.
Prosecutors said Rivera pulled out a concealed handgun and intentionally shot Diller during a routine police stop on Mott Avenue. Rivera “chose to ignore multiple lawful commands and chose to shoot Detective Diller,” Katz said.
But Rivera’s lawyer argued the gun accidentally discharged as officers pulled the firearm from Rivera’s pocket.
Police said one of the officers spotted a suspicious object bulging from Rivera’s hoodie as he and another man walked to a parked car and got in. Officers were questioning the driver when Rivera, who was in the passenger’s seat, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Diller.
The bullet struck the officer below his bulletproof vest, mortally wounding him. Another officer then shot and wounded Rivera.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
