A man convicted in the fatal shooting of NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller during a 2024 traffic stop in Queens has been sentenced to 115 years to life in prison, prosecutors announced Monday.
Guy Rivera, 36, of Long Island City, was sentenced by a Queens Supreme Court judge after a jury found him guilty of aggravated manslaughter in the first degree, attempted murder in the first degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of the top charge of first-degree murder.
The sentence includes consecutive terms of 25 years to life for manslaughter, 40 years to life for attempted murder, and two additional 25-years-to-life sentences for weapons charges, effectively ensuring Rivera will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said Rivera ignored repeated police commands before using an illegal firearm during the encounter.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred on March 25, 2024, at approximately 5:45 p.m. in Far Rockaway. Detective Diller and members of the NYPD’s Community Response Team approached a parked vehicle after noticing what appeared to be a firearm concealed in Rivera’s sweatshirt.
Rivera entered the passenger seat of a Kia Soul while another individual, Lindy Jones, got behind the wheel. Officers ordered both men to comply, but Rivera refused multiple commands to exit the vehicle.
As officers opened the car door, Rivera reached into his pocket, pulled out a .380-caliber handgun, and fired, striking Diller in the abdomen below his bullet-resistant vest.
Prosecutors said Rivera then aimed the weapon at NYPD Sergeant Sasha Rosen and pulled the trigger, but the gun malfunctioned. Diller managed to wrestle the weapon away before collapsing from his injuries.
Diller was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he underwent emergency surgery but died several hours later. Authorities said the gunshot caused severe internal bleeding.
Rivera was shot by an officer at the scene and taken into custody. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered a second loaded firearm from the glove compartment, which had its serial number removed. Investigators said Rivera’s DNA and fingerprints were found on that weapon.
Jones, 43, of Edgemere, was also arrested and charged with weapons offenses. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted and is due back in court on April 28.
Diller, 31, was serving as an NYPD officer at the time of the shooting and was later promoted to detective.
District Attorney Katz said the sentence ensures Rivera “will never be free again” following the fatal shooting and attempted killing of a second officer.
Defense attorneys have indicated they plan to appeal the conviction.
Photo: NYPD.
