By Jessica Easthope
It won’t bring a father, husband and son back, but there was some justice for NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller’s family. At Queens Criminal Court on April 27, Guy Rivera, the man convicted of killing Detective Diller during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway in 2024, was sentenced to 115 years in prison.
“A husband, a father and a son. And a police officer. Guy Rivera respected neither one of those,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said after the sentencing. “On March 25, 2024, not only was Jonathan Diller killed, but they attempted to kill Sergeant Rosen. Guy Rivera will spend the rest of his life in jail.”
A courtroom packed with police officers heard victim impact statements from Detective Diller’s family members. Detective Diller and his partner conducted a traffic stop on March 25, 2024. Guy Rivera, a passenger in the car, refused to comply with the officers’ orders to exit the vehicle. When they tried to remove him, he fired. Detective Diller was shot at point-blank range in the torso below his bulletproof vest and was rushed to Jamaica Hospital, where he died. NYPD Assistant Chief Chaplain Monsignor David Cassato was at the hospital that day.
“You walk into the hospital, there’s just such sadness and grief,” Monsignor Cassato said. “We pray for peace in the heart of his family. And, you know, we pray that somehow God intervenes in his life and brings some sort of measure of repentance.”
Police Benevolence Association President Patrick Hendry said the jury’s verdict after a weeks-long trial was disappointing. Although Rivera was found guilty of aggravated manslaughter, attempted murder and weapons charges, he was acquitted of first-degree murder. Hendry said outside court on April 27 that this is the justice system at work.
“The verdict in this case did not send the right message to the family, and every police officer who wears the uniform. But this sentence, it sent the right message.”
At the time of the shooting, Rivera had 21 prior arrests. District Attorney Melinda Katz said he will only be eligible for parole after the 115 years. Detective Diller left behind a wife and 3-year-old son.