Malverne raises money for Officer Diller's widow and infant

Jonathan Diller, the 31-year-old New York City police officer who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway on March 25, leaves behind his wife, Stephanie (née McAuley), and their nearly 1-year-old son, Ryan, at their home in Massapequa Park. Stephanie grew up in Malverne — and her hometown is rallying in support.

“As the wife of a Malverne police sergeant, we always back the blue and step up any time our community needs our support,” Malverne Trustee Lori Lang said, “It is very important for the Diller and McAuley families to know we are here for them in their time of mourning and for the days to come.”

The village has showed up in a big way for Stephanie and Ryan. Individuals and businesses alike have been creating and sharing fundraisers for the family, and have raised thousands of dollars in a matter of days.

Doris Bové Aresta, of Malverne, began printing signs in memory of Diller on March 26. Signs are $25, with $20 of each sale benefiting Jonathon’s son Ryan. The campaign is done through Survivors of the Shields, a nonprofit that serves families of fallen officers. In less than a day, more than 600 people bought signs. At the time of press, Aresta’s fundraiser has raised more than $21,000.

Those interested in buying a sign may reach out to Aresta on Facebook.

To show support for Diller, people can get a strand of blue tinsel in their hair. Salon Blu, in Malverne, is offering the tinsel for $5 throughout the month of April. All of the proceeds go to the Diller family.

Further still, Lang has joined with the Nassau County Police Department’s donation drive for the Diller family. The department’s list of wanted items includes gift cards — specifically those for Uber Eats or Door Dash, Amazon, Target, or local restaurants and grocery stores. Lang is organizing gift card donations from Malverne. At the time of press, her efforts have helped raise nearly $3,500.

Gift cards can be dropped in the mail slot at 16 Coolidge St., in Malverne, or the money can be sent to Lang through Venmo @SimplifyByLoriLang.

At a wake at the Massapequa Funeral Home, in Massapequa Park, on March 28 and 29, family and friends gathered to pay their respects. Among the attendees was former President Donald Trump.

Diller’s funeral was held on Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, in Massapequa. At the service, Stephanie spoke of her husband’s infectious personality, saying that their “lives were pretty much perfect until five days ago, when everything changed forever.”

Diller had been a member of the NYPD for three years, and had received several honors. He was described by fellow officers at the 105th Precinct, where he worked, as a “cop’s cop.” He was posthumously promoted to detective first grade, which was announced by NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban at his funeral.

Nick Altilio, the owner of Trotter’s, in Franklin Square, said he had known Diller’s family for 50 years. He ran the youth dek hockey program at Saint Catherine of Sienna Church, coached with Jonathan’s brother, Eric, and coached Jonathan as a young player.

“He was just a good kid,” Altilio recalled. “A hardworking kid. A funny kid, and it’s just a shame.”

The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, also known as Answer the Call, plans to give $50,000 to Diller’s widow and son, as well as a $10,000 annual stipend.

Achiezer, a community resource center based in Lawrence and Far Rockaway, and the Jewish Community Council of the Rockaway Peninsula, have raised more than $16,000 to help Diller’s family.

Stephanie Diller offered her thanks for the support. “I wish Jonathan was here to see the incredible kindness and generosity that has been shown to our family, but I know, in his own way, he is here, watching over us,” she said. “I am so proud that thousands of people across the country are calling Jonathan a hero, but the truth is he has always been a hero to Ryan and me. The rest of the world is just catching up.”

During a traffic stop on March 25, Diller was allegedly shot by Guy Rivera, 34, a passenger in a car driven by Lindy Jones, 41, who refused to roll down the car’s windows. Rivera, who was charged with first-degree murder, had at least 21 prior arrests, according to police officials.