NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller honored with candlelight vigils in Massapequa Park, NYC
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Communities in New York City and on Long Island honored NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller with a pair of vigils Wednesday night, after he was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Queens on Monday.
The family of the 31-year-old officer stood together, holding hands along with hundreds of friends and strangers gathered at Brady Park in Massapequa Park.
"Family was number one in his life," said Diller's brother-in-law. "He taught me how to be a better person."
It was a sturdy brace against a buckling tide of loss, grief and anguish that was still new.
As the sun set in Diller's hometown, lit candles were raised by a community abundant with law enforcement families, mourning the numbing loss.
"The community, the outpouring of support for the family, everybody just wants to get together and just console one another," said Village of Massapequa Park Mayor Daniel Pearl.
An emotional candlelight vigil was also held earlier in the evening in Queens. It was hosted by the NYC Citywide Clergy Collective at the 105 Precinct on 222nd Street, where those who attended spoke of Diller's courage.
Although Officer Diller had been working the past nine months with NYPD's Critical Response Team, which is based out of a different location, the 105 Precinct was still his assigned stationhouse.
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A wake for the fallen officer will be held Thursday and Friday at the funeral home while a funeral is set for Saturday at St. Rose of Lima R.C. Church.
Nassau County Police are expecting thousands to attend the wakes.
The NYPD is making arrangements for Donald Trump to attend the first wake on Thursday.
"President Trump is moved by the invitation to join NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's family and colleagues as they deal with his senseless and tragic death," a spokesperson for Trump said.
Trump spoke by phone with the officer's family while they were at a the funeral home on Tuesday.
Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban are also expected to attend at least one of the wakes.
Diller was on the force for three years, and leaves behind a wife and an almost 1-year-old son.
A GoFundMe page for the officer's family is already up to $350,000.
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