Nearly 100 of New York’s Finest packed into a Queens courthouse Tuesday as the murder trial of the career criminal accused of gunning down NYPD hero Jonathan Diller got underway.
The phalanx of cops stared down Guy Rivera, 35, who allegedly shot the on-duty officer during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway on March 25, 2024.
It marked the largest show of support yet for the slain cop, who left behind his wife and an infant son — with NYPD uniforms filling the courtroom and spilling out into the gallery.
“Jonathan Diller was a talented person who could have succeeded at any profession that he would have chosen,” NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry said outside the courthouse.
“But he knew he had a mission in life – to help people and save lives. And he did that every day as a New York City Police officer,” Hendry said.
“Unfortunately, his family is going to have to re-live this nightmare for the next three weeks.”
Police have packed the courtroom for two dozen past court appearances for Rivera, a career criminal with 21 prior busts accused of shooting Diller as he investigated a suspicious vehicle.
In court, the alleged cop killer wore a pumpkin-colored shirt and an orange neck tie for opening statements.
“He should be behind those bars for the rest of his life,” Hendry said.