Donald Trump slams murder of NYPD cop Jonathan Diller ‘by serial criminal’ as he attends slain officer’s wake: ‘We have to toughen it up, these things can’t happen’
Donald Trump has attended the aftermath of a slain NYPD officer and condemned city officials for releasing the serial killer who allegedly killed him.
Speaking at the ceremony for officer Jonathan Diller, 31, the former president said: “What happened is such a sad event, so terrible, and it happens all too often.
“It’s an honor to be here, but this is such a sad event. We have to make it louder, we have to make it stronger, this kind of thing shouldn’t happen.’
Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens on Monday during a routine traffic stop. Footage of the incident showed the officer screaming in pain as he died.
The Republican presidential candidate added: “We’re just not going to let it happen. Arrested 21 times, this scoundrel. The person in the car with him was arrested many times.
“They don’t learn because they don’t respect that the police are the best people we have, there is nothing and no one like them. This should never happen.
Trump had posted on his Truth Social about Diller’s death, offering prayers to Diller’s family and appreciation for law enforcement
Former President Donald Trump was spotted arriving at a funeral home on Long Island on Thursday to attend the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller
Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens on Monday during a routine traffic stop. Footage of the incident showed the officer screaming in pain.
Trump continued, “I was just visiting a very beautiful woman who now no longer has her husband, Stephanie was just incredible.
“Their child, a brand new, beautiful baby sitting there as innocently as possible, doesn’t know how his life has changed.
“The Diller family will never be the same, and we have to stop that. We need to return to public order, because this is not working. It happens too often.
“It’s an honor to be here, but this is such a sad event. We have to make it louder, we have to make it stronger, things like this shouldn’t happen.
“It’s an honor for me to be here, this is a great family. These are just incredible people who are devastated. They have a difficult road ahead of them.’
Trump was invited to the event and a campaign spokesman said earlier this week that he was “moved by the invitation.”
Trump posted about Diller’s death on his Truth Social, offering prayers to Diller’s family and appreciation for law enforcement.
He also called the shooter a “thug” and noted that police said Diller’s alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, stating that he “should NEVER have been left on the streets again.”
Speaking outside the funeral home, Trump said it was an honor to attend and added that killings of officers happened “all too often.”
He also called the shooter a “thug” and noted that police said Diller’s alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, stating that he “should NEVER have been left on the streets again.”
A funeral Mass will be held Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, also in Massapequa.
About a thousand police officers lined the streets of the hamlet on Wednesday as his body arrived at the funeral home.
Diller, a married father of a one-year-old boy, was reportedly shot and killed by 34-year-old Rivera during the traffic stop.
Rivera allegedly opened fire on Diller after ordering the suspect to get out of the car.
In footage of the incident, three loud gunshots can be heard as bystanders flee for safety.
‘I am hit!’ Diller is heard shouting as onlookers sprint to the sound of gunfire. As the footage continues, Diller can be heard screaming in pain.
Another suspect, Lindy Jones, 41, was indicted earlier this week and charged with gun possession.
Prosecutors said he was found with a “ghost gun” — meaning the serial number had been removed to prevent it from being traced — and it was believed he and the shooter were investigating a T-Mobile store.
Suspect Guy Rivera was shot at the scene by Officer Diller’s colleague and taken to the same Queen’s hospital as the fatally wounded officer
Another suspect, Lindy Jones, seen here, was indicted earlier this week and charged with gun possession
Surveillance footage captured the moment Diller was fatally shot after approaching an illegally parked vehicle
Rivera, 34, remains in stable condition in the hospital after being shot by Officer Diller’s partner in the shooting.
The death has sparked a huge response from the police community, with NYPD Commissioner Edward Cavan branding him a “hero.”
Commissioner Cavan wrote on X: ‘Tonight this city lost a hero, a woman lost her husband and a young child lost his father.
“We struggle to find the words to express the tragedy of losing one of our own. The work that Police Officer Jonathan Diller did every day to make this city safer will NEVER be forgotten.
“Our prayers are with his family, loved ones and brothers and sisters in blue.”
New York Mayor Eric Adams described the shooting as a “senseless act of violence” at a news conference outside Jamaica Hospital.
“I can’t say it any clearer: It’s the good guys versus the bad guys, and these bad guys are violent,” added Adams, a former cop.
The NYPD Union demanded that anti-police politicians stay away from Officer Diller’s aftermath and funeral, calling out several officials by name.
The NYPD Sergeant’s Benevolent Association said City Council President Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams “and their cohorts should stay home.”
‘They hate officers and don’t appreciate what they do. They should stay home and not pretend to grieve.
“They’ve caused enough heartbreak and destruction,” SBA President Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post.
After Rivera’s arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history, including first-degree robbery, illegal possession of weapons and assault.
Jonathan Diller, the young officer from Long Island, was only three years into his service and leaves behind a young widow and a child
He had 21 previous arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being released on parole in 2021.
Rivera also served time from 2011 to 2014 on a first-degree assault charge.
Jones had 14 previous arrests, including a conviction for attempted murder and robbery in 2003, which saw him serve 10 years behind bars.
He had been arrested last April on firearms charges but was released on $75,000 bail, bringing him back to court on Monday.
Diller was the first New York City police officer killed in the line of duty in two years.