31 Year Old NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller Killed On Duty
Monday evening NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller of the Critical Response Team - responsible for keeping an eye out for suspicious cars with fake license plates and illegally tinted windows and the like - executed what he thought was going to be a routine traffic stop. It ended up tragically being the last thing he'd ever do.
A car with 2 guys was parked in a bus stop and wasnt moving. Officer Diller approached the driver's side window, and thats when the driver, Guy Rivera, pulled out a gun and shot him just underneath his tactical vest. Even after being shot, Diller continued to fight - literally and figuratively - making sure Rivera was disarmed and unable to shoot anybody else, all while fighting for his own life. Diller was rushed to the hospital in Jamaica, Queens, where he was pronounced dead. The NYPD gave him his Dignified Transfer, draping a flag over his coffin and driving him from the hotel to the medical examiners office, while the streets of NYC were lined with his brothers from the NYPD and FDNY giving him one last salute as the police escort drove by.
Diller was 31. With just 3 years on the force he notched 70 arrests. But more importantly he had a beautiful wife and 1 year old son at home who now have to live the rest of their lives without him.
And the worst part of all of this? It was TOTALLY AVOIDABLE. A lot of times in the past when we've seen slain officers, its random acts of violence. Crazy people doing crazy things that you simply cant see coming and cant stop. Jonathan Diller, though? He was shot by Guy Rivera. A criminal with a rap sheet as long as you'll ever see. TWENTY ONE (21) arrests including NINE (9) felonies. But because New York City basically plays musical chairs with criminals these days, he was out on the street and able to kill a family man and one hell of a police officer. Because this city is a revolving door for criminals who get arrested and either immediately make bail or are set free because of new policies and political bullshit, theres now a wife who no longer has a husband and a son who no longer has a father.
I know discussing how to handle police activity in this country can be a nuanced conversation. With certain issues, you'll have one side screaming "defund the police!" while on the other extreme there are people turning a blind eye to police brutality and those conversations often end up being political screaming matches with no progress being made. But this? THIS is not THAT. This is not politics. This is not a difficult concept to navigate. This is a simple problen that somehow, some way, we have completely overcomplicated.
KEEP BAD GUYS IN PRISON.
The police did their job with Guy Rivera. Arrested him and got him off the street. And then they did it again. And again. And again. And again SIXTEEN MORE TIMES. Only to have him be set free a 21st time where he finally could commit his worst crime of all. I dont think its a political convo nor is it a touchy/problematic/difficult topic to navigate and discuss. Its pretty simple:
STOP LETTING THE BAD GUYS OUT OF JAIL.
Once police find them and remove them, they shouldnt have to risk their lives again DOZENS OF TIMES fighting against those same guys. Its not fair to the cops on the force. Its not fair to the one who lost his life, Jonathan Diller. And its not fair to his widow Stephanie and their one year old son.
I dont know if its a De Blasio thing, I dont know if its a Adams thing. I dont know if its right, left, red, blue. All I know is bad guys - truly bad guys who are felons and commit dangerous or violent crimes with weapons - once they get caught they should stay. in. prison. Pretty much seems like day 1 police stuff if you ask me. I dont think I'm asking too much. So whether its the Mayor's office or the NYPD Commissioner or voters or whoever - lets fix that one ASAfuckingP.
Again, all proceeds from this shirt will go to his family. RIP.