New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appeared to leave the wake of slain New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller just minutes after arriving at the funeral home on Friday afternoon, video showed.
Video showed the governor speaking with a man outside the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island, then turning around and heading out. Clapping could be heard as she left.
The incident came a day after the NYPD’s Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent Vallelong said in a letter to union members, “I’m sure that many elected officials will attend PO Diller’s funeral, shed a few crocodile tears, and prominently seat themselves for a good photo opportunity. The sad reality is we don’t want them there.”
NYPD JONATHAN DILLER SHOOTING: SUSPECT GUY RIVERA CHARGED WITH MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER IN ATTACK ON OFFICERS
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul leaves the wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
“Their presence is more than a distraction,” Vallelong continued. “It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the scores of dedicated and committed public servants who will carry on his mission despite their constant criticism, cynicism, negativity, and frivolous accusations.”
SUSPECTS IN SHOOTING DEATH OF NYPD OFFICER JONATHAN DILLER IDENTIFIED, HAVE LENGTHY RECORDS
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul arrives at the wake for slain NYPD officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y. on Friday. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, was the father of a 1-year-old boy. A violent ex-con has been accused of fatally shooting him during a stop earlier this week. (Tunnel to Towers Foundation)
Former President Trump attended Diller’s wake on Thursday, saying, “The Diller family will never be the same – you can never be the same, and we have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order.”
Former President Donald Trump speaks Thursday outside a Massapequa Park, N.Y., funeral home, where a wake took place for New York City Police Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed while making a traffic stop on March 25 in the Far Rockaway section of Queens. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
Vallelong said he found it infuriating to see city politicians who have supported movements to “defund” police and let criminals out of jail posting politically motivated condolences on social media.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s motorcade arrives at the wake of slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday. Diller, a three-year NYPD veteran, was killed during a traffic stop in Queens earlier this week. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul arrives at the wake for slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
Diller was fatally shot on Monday during a traffic stop in Queens after a man with 21 prior arrests allegedly shot him in the stomach as Diller was trying to get the suspect, Guy Rivera, 34, to exit the vehicle. Rivera opened fire on Diller and his partner at about 5:45 p.m. Monday. The officers approached the vehicle because it was illegally parked at a bus stop.
Armed police officers stand guard at the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
Diller was 31 years old and lived in Massapequa Park with his wife and nearly 1-year-old son, Fox News Digital previously reported. He had served three years with the NYPD before his death.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul arrives at the wake for slain NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller at the Massapequa Funeral Home in Long Island, N.Y., on Friday. (Probe-Media for Fox News Digital)
Rivera, who was sitting in the passenger’s seat, was injured when the officers returned fire. He was charged with first degree murder of a police officer, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon in the case, police announced this week.
NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller is survived by his wife and their nearly 1-year-old son. (NYPD)
Another man who was in the vehicle at the time of Diller’s death, Lindy Jones, was also charged following the death, including for criminal possession of a weapon and defacing a weapon.
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Fox News Digital has reached out to the governor’s office and the Sergeants Benevolent Association.
Fox News’ Michael Ruiz and Emma Colton contributed to this report.
