NYC ‘cop killer’s long rap sheet with 21 previous arrests includes most recent gun charge in April last year before he was let back on the streets’
The man accused of killing NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller has been arrested 21 times, including most recently in April of last year, according to police sources.
Guy Rivera, 34, has a long history of drug and violence charges, records show.
His most recent arrest on weapons-related charges came in April last year, before he was released back onto the streets after posting bail, police confirmed.
Rivera is accused of shooting Diller, 31, during a traffic stop on Monday. A second 41-year-old man driving the vehicle was also arrested and a firearm was recovered at the scene.
Mayor Eric Adams expressed disbelief that Rivera was allowed back on the streets because of his recent gun charge.
Accused NYPD cop killer Guy Rivera has a lengthy criminal record with 21 arrests, including one in April on weapons charges, police confirmed
Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, of New York’s 105th precinct had only been on the job for three years
Officer Diller lived with his wife Stephanie and their one-year-old son (pictured) in Massapequa Park on Long Island in New York City
‘April 2023. Less than a year, weapons charges, he’s back on the streets. April 2023,” he told a news conference.
“This isn’t what you call a crime problem, it’s a recidivism problem: the same bad people doing bad things to good people. Less than a year. He’s back on the street with another man.’
The charge is the latest added to Rivera’s criminal record, which also includes an arrest for attempted aggravated assault.
Rivera was sent to Southport Correctional Facility for the offense in 2011 before being released.
Five years later, he was back in prison at the supermax Upstate Correctional Facility for selling drugs and another assault charge.
Diller and a colleague worked in Far Rockaway as part of the NYPD Critical Response Team that focused on auto crime.
When they asked the 34-year-old suspect to get out of the car, he refused, pointed a gun at the officers and fired, hitting Diller in the torso, just below his bulletproof vest.
Rivera “was asked to exit the car, he was given a lawful order to get out of the car multiple times, but he refused,” NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
“Can I say it more clearly?” New York Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference: ‘It’s the good guys versus the bad guys’
Neighbors heard shots ring out at 5:50 p.m., less than two blocks from the NYPD’s 101st Precinct station, before seeing the fatally wounded officer lying in the street
“And when the officer got him out of the car, he shot our officer instead of getting out of the car.”
Witnesses heard the shots ring out at 5:50 p.m., less than two blocks from the NYPD’s 101st Precinct station.
“It happened so quickly,” Melissa Morgan, 39, told the newspaper Daily news.
‘The police officer fell to the ground and the other officers dragged the two boys out of the car. I took cover.
“He shot a cop, it’s unbelievable.”
“He rolled on the ground and said, ‘I’ve been shot, I’ve been shot,'” another witness said.
Witness Deon Peters said he saw two people, including the officer, on the ground.
‘He moved, he said, “I’m hit, I’m hit!” Provide location and such,” Peters told the channel NYPost“Like he was crying.”
Diller and a colleague worked in Far Rockaway as part of the NYPD Critical Response Team that focused on auto crime
Diller’s colleagues lined the streets as his body was taken to an ambulance outside Jamaica Hospital
Firefighters salute as the ambulance carrying the body of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller leaves Jamaica Hospital Medical Center Queens
Diller was just three years into his role as an NYPD officer when he was fatally shot
Diller managed to take the gun from his killer after the other officer fired back, striking the shooter in the back.
The officer had only been on the job for three years when he was fatally shot.
Heartbreaking photos show his colleagues and other first responders saluting and lining the street in front of Jamaica Hospital in Queens, where Diller’s body was moved to a waiting ambulance.
Diller is survived by his wife of six years, Stephanie, and their one-year-old son.
A GoFundMe set up for his family has already raised nearly $40,000 since it was created just hours ago.
His brother-in-law Jonny Mac promised to care for Diller’s son in his absence.
‘What started as a daily car stop immediately became a moment when so many lives would be turned upside down. Jon leaves behind a wife and a one-year-old son, who will now grow up without his father.
“For those of you walking the streets, it can be so easy to get caught up in the moment. To think that these kinds of terrible events could not happen to you. To become focused on making that next arrest or running to the action. Think of those who love you in those moments.
Diller is survived by his wife Stephanie and their one-year-old son
A GoFundMe set up for his family has already raised nearly $40,000 since it was created just hours ago
“Jon, there are no words to describe how devastated we are that you are gone. You were a good man and a great father whose shoes can never be filled. I swear to you that I will take care of your son as if he were my own. For the rest of my life.’
The president of the Police Benevolent Association asked for prayers for the family and questioned why the gunman felt emboldened to attack.
“Our heroic police officer confronted this dangerous individual knowing he was endangering himself, knowing he had a family waiting for him at home,” he said.
“But he did it to protect the people of this city, and we need every New Yorker to be with this family.
“Why wasn’t this violent person with the gun afraid to shoot a New York City police officer? Why? Why did he feel like he could shoot a New York City police officer? These attacks on New York City police officers must end now.”
Last year, a record number of New York police officers were attacked on the job, with more than 5,000 by 2023.