March 29, 2024 / By mobanmarket
LONG ISLAND, NY — Beyond the headlines and stories that have blanketed New York City and Long Island since NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller was killed Monday after getting shot while on duty in Far Rockaway — there is the heartbreaking reality of the very young family that he left behind.
When he died at 31 years old, Officer Diller left behind his wife Stephanie and their baby boy Dylan, just 1.
The couple’s baby registry was only posted last year — summoning up all the joy and promise they felt, as they awaited the birth of their beloved son. And now, with their child so young, there were so many “firsts” still ahead. According to a New York Times article, Dylan was just starting to get his baby teeth.
Across Long Island, hearts ached at the sheer loss. And one group, Project Thank A Cop, sprang into action, organizing a collection to meet the immediate needs of a young mother, caring for her baby — diapers, wipes, baby food, toys, gift cards and more.
On the North Fork, donations can be brought to Wendy’s Deli, located at 55 Middle Rd, Mattituck, NY 11952. A volunteer will drive those donations to the Seventh Precinct, located at 3636 Merrick Road in Seaford, where they will be collected through April 5.
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The grief is heavy for miles, as hearts mourn a man with so much left ahead, dedicated to keeping the public safe and devoted to his family.
“Police Officer Jonathan Diller was more than a hero,” the NYC PBA said. “He was a father, a husband, a son. NYC lost a protector, but this family has lost far, far more. We need your prayers and support — for Jonathan’s family and for every #BlueFamily still waiting for a hero to come home.”
Maegan Fox, who created the “Project Thank A Cop” group, based in Wantaugh, said she felt compelled to help. “This is a labor of love,” she said. “We want to surround this family with love, whatever it takes.”
Fox said Project Thank A Cop was started in 2020 to support police officers through gift baskets and other gestures of and support; the group has swelled to encompass thousands of members, including children, who set up stands to sell lemonade, hot cocoa and cider, to help.
Since putting out the call for donations for Officer Diller’s family, donations have been pouring in at an unprecedented rate, Fox said. “It’s a sight to be seen. We’ve collected more in one day than in the entire year last year.”
Fox said although she’d never personally met Officer Diller: “When it comes to something like this, we are all just one big family.”
She’s been moved to tears all week, Fox said. “I’ve probably haven’t stopped crying until this morning.” But now, she said, with her not-for-profit setting up a comfort station at the funeral, “It’s crunch time,” with volunteers galvanizing to help.
As far as donations, in light of all that’s been given so far, Fox said there is still a need for diapers, size 7 and up.
In addition, Fox said they’d like to see Stephanie receive some “mommy-based” donations, including gift cards for Sephora, Ulta, anything to lift her spirits; gifts cards to DoorDash and Uber Eats are appreciated, as well as supermarkets, such as King Kullen, which donated a generous gift card to the family.
All donations go directly to Stephanie, Fox said.
As a mom herself of a 9-year-old son, Fox said Officer Diller’s death is unthinkable. “It hits home. It’s so indescribably sad and senseless. I just want to focus on surrounding Stephanie and her son with love.”
And, as a woman whose father is a retired fire marshal who served at the 9/11 “Pile,” Fox said, “I feel so much for Ryan, and how his life is going to be. He’s never going to know his daddy. Stephanie will tell him always how much his father loved him, and say, ‘Your daddy was a hero.'”
In addition to the donations, a fundraiser will be held on April 29 at La Novella from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets will cost $150 per person, with all proceeds to benefit Officer Diller’s family.
“We’re just trying to leave this world a better place than we found it,” Fox said.
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