Accused Cop Killer Charged in Murder of Officer Jonathan Diller

Guy Rivera Charged in Gunning Down Diller During Traffic Stop in Queens

Guy Rivera was charged in the murder of Officer Jonathan Diller. -Photo by NYPD

Queens Voice 

March 28, 2024

QUEENS - Accused cop killer Guy Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, prosecutors announced. 

Rivera, 34, was charged with murder in the first and second degrees; attempted murder in the first and second degrees; four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree; and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

Officer Jonathan Diller

Rivera faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted. A Criminal Court arraignment is expected later today or tomorrow.

“Police Officer Diller was a father, husband and son simply doing his job to serve and protect. He was killed for it,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “As alleged, the defendant opened fire and took the officer’s life and tried to shoot another member of the NYPD. We will not rest until we have achieved justice for Officer Diller, his family and his brothers and sisters in the NYPD who put their lives on the line to protect us.”

According to the charges:

On March 25, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Rivera was seated in the front passenger seat of a Kia Soul parked in front of 19-19 Mott Avenue.

 

According to the indictment, Rivera removed a gun from his clothing and shot Officer Diller, who had approached the car. The officer was struck in the stomach.

 

After shooting Officer Diller, prosecutors said Rivera aimed his gun at Sergeant Sasha Rosen, who was with Officer Diller. Sergeant Rosen used his hand to direct the gun away from his body. 

According to the indictment, Rivera’s finger remained on the trigger as he tried to point the gun back toward the sergeant. The gun was loaded but was jammed and unable to shoot.

 

Officer Diller was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

 

Members of the Queens District Attorney’s office and the 101stPolice Precinct obtained a court-authorized search warrant for the vehicle. 

The execution of the warrant led to the discovery of a loaded 9 mm pistol inside the glove compartment. The firearm was found to be defaced, with the serial number scratched off.

 

The driver of the car, Lindy Jones, was arraigned yesterday on weapon possession charges.