Widow of Slain NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller Testifies in Murder Trial
The widow of New York City Police Detective Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop in Queens in March 2024, testified Thursday in the trial of the man accused of his murder, Guy Rivera. Jonathan Diller, 31, was posthumously promoted to detective following his death.
Emotional Testimony from Stephanie Diller
Stephanie Diller told the court that March 25, 2024, was a scheduled day off for her and her husband. The couple spent the morning with their toddler son at the park and shared a coffee before Jonathan Diller received a call to return to work. She recounted his final words to her: “I love you,” to which she replied, “I love you, too. Be safe, always.”
Stephanie Diller further testified that her husband called around 5:30 p.m., stating he would skip his meal break to have dinner with her when he returned home. He repeated his expression of love, saying, “I love you. I’ll see you soon.”
Shortly after, a neighbor informed Stephanie Diller of a shooting involving an officer, and she initially dismissed it, believing her husband was safe as they had just spoken. However, her hope was shattered as she received the devastating news.
Trauma Surgeon Details Efforts to Save Diller
A trauma surgeon from Jamaica Hospital also testified, detailing the desperate attempts to save Detective Diller’s life. The surgeon stated that upon arrival, Diller showed no signs of life. Despite performing CPR and a “Hail Mary” procedure involving opening Diller’s chest to manually massage his heart, the officer was ultimately pronounced dead. An image of Diller on the operating table was displayed, prompting visible distress among officers in the courtroom.
Stephanie Diller, now 31, recalled the moment the doctor delivered the news, stating, “I could see it in his eyes, what he was going to inform me.”
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry praised Stephanie Diller’s strength and courage, both in the aftermath of her husband’s death and during her testimony.
Details of the Shooting and the Defense’s Claim
Prosecutors allege that Diller and other members of the NYPD’s Community Response team were in Far Rockaway, Queens, when Rivera was observed with what appeared to be a gun in his pocket. Rivera allegedly ignored repeated commands from officers to roll down his window, keep his hands out of his pocket, and exit the vehicle. Prosecutors claim Rivera shot Diller after being pulled from the car.
The defense argues that the shooting was an unintentional discharge that occurred as Sergeant Sasha Rosen was attempting to remove Rivera from the vehicle. Rosen testified that Rivera’s finger was on the trigger at the time. Prosecutors contend that after shooting Diller, Rivera pointed the weapon at Rosen, but the gun malfunctioned.
Rivera’s Plea and Potential Sentence
Rivera, 36, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and weapons possession. If convicted on the top charge, he faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. [Source: ABC7NY]