Shooter Who Killed NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller Gets 115 Years To Life In Prison, DA Says

QUEENS, NY — Prosecutors announced Monday that the Queens man responsible for shooting and killing Massapequa native NYPD officer Jonathan Diller had been sentenced to 115 years to life in prison.

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, 36-year-old Long Island City resident Guy Rivera was sentenced to 115 years to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree aggravated manslaughter and first-degree attempted murder. Both of those convictions were in connection with a March 25, 2024 incident in which Rivera shot Diller in the torso and attempted to shoot NYPD Sergeant Sasha Rosen before his gun jammed, prosecutors said.

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Rivera's attorney, Jamal Johnson, could not be reached for comment Monday.

“This defendant ignored repeated lawful commands and used an illegal firearm to kill a dedicated police officer and attempt to murder an NYPD sergeant. Jonathan Diller represented the very best of law enforcement: courage, commitment and service to community. He was a father, a husband and a son,” Katz said. “He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department who put on a uniform every day to protect our city. The void left by his senseless loss at the hands of this defendant is immeasurable. Today’s sentence of 115 years to life in prison does not erase the tragedy of March 25, 2024, but it ensures that this defendant will never be free again to terrorize the streets of New York City.”

At a sentencing in front of Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise, Rivera received 25 years to life for the aggravated manslaughter conviction, 40 years to life for the attempted murder conviction, and 25 years to life each for two separate counts of criminal possession of a weapon, prosecutors said. Rivera was also charged with attempted murder, but was acquitted, prosecutors said.

In statements after the sentencing, NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry said the Diller family would be in “neverending pain” after the death of Jonathan. Hendry reiterated his disagreement with the verdict in the case, calling Rivera a “murderer” and saying that the verdict “did not send the right message.” On the sentencing, however, Hendry had a different view.

“We know that the verdict in this case did not send the right message to the Diller family and every police officer who wears this uniform. It made us all second guess everything about our criminal justice system we count on when we’re putting our lives on the line to protect the people of this city,” Hendry said. “But this sentence, it sent the right message…[Rivera] decided to carry a loaded firearm on the streets of Rockaway, Queens. He pointed that gun at two New York City police officers in full uniform and squeezed the trigger. He should never, ever walk the streets again, and he won’t. He won’t, because this judge sent a clear message with this lifetime sentence to anyone who dares harm a New York City police officer. And we are grateful to this judge for his leadership, and doing the right thing for Jonathan and his family. It shows that our criminal justice system can do its job. And everyone involved in the criminal justice system needs to follow this judge’s example, to protect these police officers and protect the public."

In a statement Monday, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he was "grateful" for the sentence.

"We are grateful for the judge’s just and proper sentencing of this murderer, who assassinated a New York hero, Jonathan Diller," Blakeman said. "While I was not pleased with the verdict, the sentencing was perfect."

Even with a lengthy sentencing handed down, Hendry said it was a bittersweet morning for the PBA and . Diller, he said, was gone for good.

“We know this sentence will not bring Jonathan back home to his family. And that’s why, as police officers, we will pick up where Jonathan was. We will continue to support his family, every step of the way, going forward,” Hendry said. “On behalf of all of these police officers, and every New York City police officer, we want to thank every single person who supported the Diller family from day one; who came to the wake and funeral, for being there for the family. The letters, the phone calls, the support, the support of these police officers, we can not thank you enough. Every police officer thanks you.”