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The home of slain hero NYPD officer Jonathan Diller will be paid off.
The non-profit organization Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Thursday vowed to take care of the rest of the mortgage for the Massapequa Park home.
The 31-year-old Long Islander and three-year NYPD veteran was shot and killed while conducting a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens, Monday evening. The fatal shot entered Diller’s torso, beneath his vest, police said. He later died at Jamaica Hospital.
He is survived by his wife Stephanie and their 1-year-old son Ryan. A candlelight vigil was held in Massapequa Park Wednesday evening.
“Every day Officer Diller donned his uniform, there was a risk he may not come home,” said Frank Siller, CEO of Tunnel to Towers. “We will honor him not only for his sacrifice but for his unwavering resolve to protect the people of New York City. Tunnel to Towers is honored to ensure his family can stay in their home, forever.”
Tunnel to Towers was founded after the 9/11 attacks when Frank Siller’s little brother Stephen, a member of FDNY’s Squad 1 in Brooklyn, lost his life after courageously heading into harm’s way to save lives.
The foundation provides mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responders.
[Note: While social media posts circulating online stating former President Trump helped pay off the mortgage, a spokesperson for Tunnel to Towers said the foundation has not been in touch with President Trump or his team on this matter.]
More donations
Donations have poured in for the Diller family, with The N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund providing $50,000 to help alleviate any immediate financial concerns Stephanie Diller might be facing.
An online fundraiser through GoFundMe has been set up, raising $500,000 from over 7,000 donations.
Barstool Sports raised around $750,000 by selling t-shirts with 100% of the proceeds going to the Diller family. The sports media’s founder and president, Dave Portnoy, committed to matching the total with his own personal funds, bringing the total to $1.5 million.
“I know money doesn’t cure this. Nothing can cure this. This is the least we can do,” Portnoy said in a video posted on X.
Services
A remembrance ceremony for Diller is scheduled for Thursday and Friday at the South Chapel of the Massapequa Funeral Home, located at 4980 Merrick Rd. Visitation hours are from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on both days. On Thursday, former President Donald Trump said he intends to pay his respects during the 2 to 4 p.m. visitation period.
The funeral proceedings will be held on Saturday at St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church in Massapequa, with interment following at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, according to Newsday.
Vigil
Top: Fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller with his wife Stephanie and their baby Ryan.
