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5 months ago
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Donald Trump has attended the wake of a murdered NYPD officer and condemned city officials for freeing the serial criminal suspect that allegedly killed him.
Speaking at the ceremony for Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, the former president said: 'What happened is such a sad event, such a horrible thing and it is happening all too often.
'It's an honor to be here, but this is such a sad occasion. We've got to toughen it up, we've got to strengthen it up, things like this shouldn't take place.'
Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday, with footage of the incident showing the cop screaming in pain as he died.
The Republican presidential nominee added: 'We are just not going to let it happen. 21 times arrested, this thug. The person in the car with him was arrested many times.
'They don't learn because they don't respect that police are the greatest people we have, there is nothing and nobody like them. This should never happen.
Trump had posted about Diller's death on his Truth Social, offering prayers to Diller's family and appreciation for law enforcement
Former President Donald Trump was seen arriving at a Long Island funeral home on Thursday to attend the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
Officer Diller was shot and killed in Queens during a routine traffic stop on Monday, with footage of the incident showing the cop screaming in pain
Trump continued: 'I just visited with a very beautiful wife who now doesn't have her husband, Stephanie was just incredible.
'Their child a brand new beautiful baby sitting there innocent as can be does not know how his life has been changed.
'The Diller family will never be the same, and we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order because this is not working. It's happening too often.
'It's an honor to be here, but this is such a sad occasion. We've got to toughen it up, we've got to strengthen it up, things like this shouldn't take place.
'It is an honor for me to be here, this is a great family. These are just incredible people that are just devastated. They've got a tough road.'
Trump was invited to the event and a campaign spokesperson earlier this week said he was 'moved by the invitation'.
Trump posted about Diller's death on his Truth Social, offering prayers to Diller's family and appreciation for law enforcement.
He also called the shooter a 'thug' and noted that police said Diller's alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he 'NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.'
Trump speaks at the wake for NYPD officer Diller who was m*rdered by a career criminal with 21 prior arrests.
Jonathon Diller leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old baby pic.twitter.com/uve2o4O5Z4
Speaking outside of the funeral home, Trump said it was an honor to be in attendance and added that officers being killed was happening 'all too often'
Trump was invited to the event and a campaign spokesperson earlier this week said he was 'moved by the invitation'
He also called the shooter a 'thug' and noted that police said Diller's alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, declaring that he 'NEVER should have been let back out on the streets.'
The wake will last for two days, with a funeral mass then taking place at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, also in Massapequa, on Saturday.
On Wednesday, around 1,000 officers lined the streets of the hamlet as his body arrived at the funeral home.
Diller, a married father of a one-year-old boy, was allegedly shot dead by Guy Rivera, 34, during the traffic stop.
Rivera allegedly opened fire on Diller after he ordered the suspect to get out of the car.
Three loud gunshots are heard ringing out as bystanders flee for safety in footage of the incident.
'I'm hit!' Diller is heard yelling, while onlookers sprinted from the sound of gunshots. As the footage continues, Diller is heard screaming in pain.
Another suspect, Lindy Jones, 41, was arraigned and charged with weapons possession earlier this week.
Prosecutors said he had been found with a 'ghost gun' - meaning its serial number was removed to avoid it being traced - and it was believed he and the shooter were casing out a T-Mobile store.
Suspect Guy Rivera was shot at the scene by Officer Diller's colleague and taken to the same Queen's hospital as the fatally injured officer
Another suspect, Lindy Jones, seen here, was arraigned and charged with weapons possession earlier this week
Surveillance footage captured the moment Diller was fatally shot after approaching an illegally parked vehicle
Rivera, 34, remains in stable condition in hospital after he was shot by the partner of officer Diller in the shooting.
The death has sparked a huge response from the police community, with NYPD Commissioner Edward Cavan branding him a 'hero.'
Commissioner Cavan wrote on X:'Tonight this city lost a hero, a wife lost her husband, and a young child lost their father.
'We struggle to find the words to express the tragedy of losing one of our own. The work that Police Officer Jonathan Diller did each day to make this city a safer place will NEVER be forgotten.
'Our prayers are with his family, loved ones, and brothers and sisters in blue.'
New York City Mayor Eric Adams branded the shooting a 'senseless act of violence' at a press conference outside Jamaica Hospital.
'I can't not say it any clearer: It is the good guys against the bad guys, and these bad guys are violent,' Adams, a former cop, added.
The NYPD Union demanded that that anti-cop politicians stay away from the wake and funeral of officer Diller, calling out several officials by name.
The NYPD's Sergeant's Benevolent Association said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams 'and their cohorts should stay home.'
'They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do. They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving.
'They have caused enough heartbreak and destruction,' SBA President Vincent Vallelong told the New York Post.
Following Rivera's arrest, it emerged that he has a lengthy criminal history including first degree robbery, illegal gun possession and assaults.
Jonathan Diller, the young officer from Long Island, was just three years into the job and leaves a young widow and child behind
He had 21 prior arrests and previously served five years in prison on drug charges before being paroled in 2021.
Rivera had also been incarcerated from 2011 to 2014 over a first-degree assault charge.
Jones had 14 prior arrests, including a conviction for attempted murder and robbery in 2003 that saw him serve 10 years behind bars.
He had been arrested on gun charges last April, but was released on a $75,000 bail that was set to bring him back to court Monday.
Diller was the first New York City police officer to be killed in the line of duty in two years.
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