On Monday, March 25, a dedicated NYPD member of the force for three years was fatally shot during a routine traffic stop in the Far Rockaway neighborhood of Queens, New York City.
Jonathan Diller, 31, was critically wounded in the torso beneath his bullet-proof vest and was quickly transported to Jamaica Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The deadly confrontation unfolded when Officer Diller and his partner, both assigned to the NYPD’s Critical Response Team, initiated a stop for a vehicle parked illegally at a bus stop near 1919 Mott Avenue around 5:48 pm. The situation rapidly escalated when one of the vehicle’s occupants identified as Guy Rivera, 34, produced a firearm and directed it at the officers, prompting an exchange of gunfire. Officer Diller’s partner retaliated, wounding the armed assailant, who was later reported to be in stable condition at the same hospital.
In surveillance footage, rapid gunfire sounds can be heard, followed by the agonized screams of Officer Diller. His partner, Officer Veckash Khedna, returned fire, hitting Rivera in the back with two shots. Half a minute after the gunfire, Lindy Jones, 41, who was driving the car, was extracted and handcuffed on the pavement by the police. Fellow officers rushed to assist the injured Officer Diller as the sound of approaching sirens filled the air. Jones faces charges related to firearms after the discovery of a 9mm handgun in the SUV.
Mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Edward Caban have publicly expressed their profound sorrow over the incident. Their statements echo the dangers police officers face daily and the heroism displayed by people like Officer Diller, who put themselves in harm’s way to protect the community.
Eyewitness Deon Peters described a chaotic scene immediately following the shooting, emphasizing the determination and bravery of the fallen officer amidst a situation of grave danger.
During a press briefing, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said, “Rivera was asked to leave the car, he was given a lawful order numerous times to step out of the car, he refused.”
“And when the officer took him out of the car, instead of stepping out of the car, he shot our officer,” Detective Kenny said.
Authorities reported that the suspects have a troubling history of criminal activity. Rivera had 21 previous arrests and twice served time in prison. Jones’s extensive record includes a recent arrest for gun possession, 14 prior arrests, and a 10-year jail sentence that ended in 2013.
The fallen officer, survived by his wife Stephanie and a one-year-old child, is remembered for his valor and commitment to his city. His loss resonates deeply within the NYPD as colleagues and friends prepare to bid him farewell.