Thousands gathered to say final goodbye to New York Police hero Jonathan Diller

Thousands of people gathered to pay tribute to the New York City police officer Jonathan Diller. Apart from family members , a large number of friends, colleagues and citizens  gathered to remember him during the funeral mass at a Catholic church on Long Island on Saturday morning. Lack of proper laws is also being blamed for the murder of Officer Jonathan Diller. An association of police officers even warned the leaders not to attend Jonathan’s funeral. This has also become a political issue.

New York Police Department (NYPD) officer Jonathan Diller was shot dead by a man in a car which was illegally parked at a bus stop.  Jonathan had  asked him to get out of the car during a police operation.  This is Monday’s incident.

Jonathan Diller was cremated with police honors on Saturday. The police department posthumously promoted Jonathan Diller, as detective  who sacrificed his life in the line of duty. Jonathan Diller was 31 years old. He is survived by his wife, 29-year-old Stephanie, and one-year-old son Ryan.

Before Jonathan Diller’s hearse arrived, the area in front of the church on Merrick Road was filled with thousands of police officers from New York City and the entire region. The children held placards in support of the police. An honor guard playing bagpipers stood at the entrance of the church and the thunder of police helicopters echoed overhead. According to an estimate, about 10 thousand people gathered on this occasion of mourning.

There were hundreds of police motorcycles in front of the hearse carrying the coffin. The pipe and drum corps were playing drums in a slow, solemn manner. Six  officers in police uniform  took the coffin to the church. His wife, Stephanie Diller, was holding son Ryan in her arms. As the bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” the son swayed in her arms and gazed anxiously at the silent mourners.

Officer Diller’s coffin was placed near the center aisle at the front of the Church. Many of the mourners entered the church in New York Police Department uniform, and top officials of the department could be seen sitting in the front rows.

Grieving Stephanie criticized elected representatives/lawmakers  for not doing enough to stop the rising crime rate in New York City. In a moment of anguish, Stephanie asked, “How many more police officers and how many more families will have to make the ultimate sacrifice before we can begin protecting them?”

The New York Police remembered Jonathan and called him a hero. Police tweeted the message: Today, we come together to mourn and say a final goodbye to Detective Jonathan Diller, a true hero who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of his city. His bravery and dedication to keeping their community safe will never be forgotten.

The man in the car who shot Jonathan Diller is a 34 years old Guy Rivera.  At that time, Guy Rivera was sitting in the co-driver’s seat of a car that was parked incorrectly at a bus stop. While sitting inside the car, he pointed the pistol at Jonathan through the window and shot him. The bullet hit the lower part of Jonathan’s safety jacket. Before Guy could fire more bullets and harm Jonathan’s fellow policeman,despite being injured ,  the brave Jonathan disarmed Guy.

Meanwhile, Jonathan’s fellow policeman retaliated and shot at Guy Rivera, injuring him. Although his condition is out of danger. Lindy Jones, who was sitting in the driving seat, was also arrested when another weapon was recovered from the car. Both the arrested accused have old criminal records.