In a show of red, white, and blue—especially blue—Middleburgh turned out Saturday to say thank you to someone who made the world a better place:
31 year-old Jonathan Diller, a New York City police officer killed during a routine traffic stop on March 24.
Detective Diller was the son of Steve and Angelica Diller of Middleburgh; his memorial service closed down Route 145 and 30 as family, friends, and fellow cops turned out to pay their respects against a background of American and Thin Blue Line flags.
Sheriff’s Deputy William Claus on his Quarter horse, Zip, led a line of cars and marchers into Timothy Murphy Park, where Detective Diller was remembered for his sense of humor along with his love of hockey, Italian food, and his family.
“At the end of the day, it will be those memories, that love, that continues,” Ms. Diller said.
“We will keep that love alive. Time is short.”
Detective Diller was killed in Far Rockaway, Queens, responding to a routine traffic stop.
According to police, he and his partner were investigating an illegally parked SUV when a passenger in the car, Guy Rivera, shot him below his ballistic vest; Detective Diller’s partner returned the fire.
Rivera has been charged with first-degree murder and other crimes; Lindy Jones, the driver of the SUV, was charged with weapons offenses.
Bob Stark, who led the memorial service, said he remembered hearing of the shooting, never imagining “I’d be here today.
“This gathering is part of the healing process,” he said.
“Jonathan made the world a better place for what is important and right in this crazy world.”
Still, he said, it’s OK to feel anger, frustration, and confusion, especially with the City of New York, who’d allowed Rivera to be out on the street despite his previous arrest on gun charges.
Reading for her husband, who was too broken up to take the mic, Ms. Diller said he will always remember Jonathan “as my hero.”
Detective Diller also leaves behind a wife, Stephanie, and one-year-old son, Ryan.
After remarks, the crowd lit candles and paper lanterns in his memory; in a welcome moment of levity, struggling to get the lanterns lit so they could head skyward over Middleburgh.

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