Tunnel to Towers pays off mortgage for NYPD Officer Diller's wife, son
MASSAPEQUA PARK, Long Island (PIX11) – The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage on NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller's home following his death in Queens on Monday, according to the nonprofit.
Diller was fatally shot after approaching a gray SUV illegally parked at a bus stop in Far Rockaway. The passenger of the SUV, 34-year-old Guy Rivera, is accused of shooting Diller in the stomach below his vest.
Hundreds of people gathered at Brady Park in Massapequa Park on Wednesday to honor the fallen officer at a candlelight vigil.
Diller's mom, sister, and brother held each other close as his brother-in-law spoke about their pain.
"He was born to be a hero. He died being a hero. He died doing what he loved," said Joseph Linehop.
Diller, of Massapequa Park, was a three-year veteran of the police department, who was working for the community response team in Queens South when he was killed. During his career, he made more than 70 arrests and was awarded with excellent and meritorious police duty four times.
He leaves behind a wife and a 1-year-old son.
Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here.