Before Detective Jonathan Diller was fatally shot in the line of duty at the end of last month, he served in the NYPD’s Community Response Team, patrolling the streets of eastern Queens. Throughout his career, he responded to numerous calls that earned him departmental recognition, including one that saved the life of a young stabbing victim.
On August 23, 2022, Diller and his partner hurried to a call on Guy R. Brewer Blvd. near Farmers Blvd. in Springfield Gardens regarding a stabbing incident. Upon arrival at the scene, they discovered a 25-year-old man severely bleeding in a deli, where he had entered and collapsed.
Diller took immediate action to stop the bleeding until medical help arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital. Thanks to Diller’s quick thinking and life-saving actions, the man survived his injuries, earning Diller praise for his “meritorious police duty,” one of the four accolades he received during his career.
Learning that the officer who had saved her grandson was the same officer tragically shot in March came as a shock to the victim’s grandmother, Lavern Flemings.
“I didn’t even know that. That cop?” Flemings expressed to the Daily News. “He the one that saved my grandson? Oh, my God.”
Flemings acknowledged her grandson’s fortunate encounter with Diller and his partner during the critical incident but doubted whether her grandson was aware that the officer who saved him had met a tragic fate.
“He kept him from bleeding out, I’m shocked,” shared Fleming, 67. “I didn’t even know that. I wonder if he knows that! I don’t think he does because if he did, he would’ve been talking about that.”
Fleming mentioned that her grandson eventually shared his experience of the stabbing, expressing his struggles and emotions during that challenging time. However, he had not mentioned the pivotal role of the police officer in saving his life.
“He probably don’t remember,” she added. “I guess when you’re in pain like that, you’re not really trying to see who’s doing something for you.”
Throughout his brief yet impactful career, Diller received further recognition for “excellent police duty,” including his involvement in an arrest related to a burglary where a squatter manipulated a woman suffering from dementia into allowing him to reside in her basement.
Stanley Sarauw, 71, recounted the distressing experience of the squatter deceiving his ex-wife and unlawfully occupying his property. Despite Sarauw’s efforts to address the situation legally, the squatter resorted to burglary, prompting Diller and his team to intervene.
Diller’s proactive response led to the apprehension of the culprit and the recovery of Sarauw’s stolen possessions, including a valuable guitar. Sarauw expressed gratitude for the officers’ swift actions in resolving the unsettling ordeal.
Diller’s dedication and professionalism extended to multiple instances of “excellent police duty,” including his involvement in gun-related arrests in 2022. Posthumously promoted to the rank of detective, Diller’s exemplary service and commitment left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community he served.
Inspector Igor Pinkhasov, reflecting on Diller’s contributions, emphasized the significance of officers like Diller transitioning to roles such as the Community Response Team, highlighting the positive impact on both the Police Department and the community they serve.