NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – A Queens deli announced on Monday that it is selling a special sandwich named "The NYPD" in honor of fallen officer Jonathan Diller and will donate part of the proceeds to his family.
"I've actually seen some big names, social media people raising some big money," deli owner Joe DiGangi told 1010 WINS. "I said, you know what, let's try to get the local people involved here."
Mario's Meat Market and Gourmet Deli will donate $5 from each sandwich sold to Diller's widow, Stephanie, and their 1-year-old son, Ryan.
A press conference was held at the deli in Middle Village at 75-55 Metropolitan Ave., in which Councilman Robert Holden joined.
"This is our community! We always come together for a good cause!" Holden wrote on X.
The sandwich features chicken cutlet, prosciutto, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula with balsamic glaze, and is priced at $16.
Diller, who was part of the community response team for Patrol Borough Queens South, was shot last week in Far Rockaway during a vehicle stop. His funeral was held in Massapequa after a two-day wake, attended by hundreds.
"We're gonna take the profits made on this sandwich and we're gonna donate it directly to Officer Diller's wife and child," DiGangi said. He also emphasized that the initiative is not for recognition but to provide some comfort to the bereaved family.
"It touched home and it's not gonna bring her husband back and this baby's dad back," DiGangi said. "But you know what a little peace of mind, to help her through this tough time can always help."
The original founder of the deli, Mario DiGangi, migrated to America from Italy with his family in 1971. He honed his skills at various meat markets in Brooklyn and Queens before fulfilling his dream of owning his own butcher and deli shop in 2010, according to the deli's website. Mario passed away in 2011, but his son, Joe, is keeping the business alive.
