What seemed like an endless stream of people filed into the Massapequa Funeral Home South Chapel all evening Thursday for the first wake to pay their respects to a fallen NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller.
Deanna Vollmer grew up with Diller and other members of his family in Franklin Square.
"You never ever, ever want to hear of any officer in any, you know, incident like that. But then to hear the name of someone that you know, it just, it hits home,” she said. "It's been an overwhelming response from people that knew him and didn't even know him just to come and show their respects."
She says she fondly remembers a man with a positive attitude.
"We used to take trips out to Montauk together as kids with all the moms and he just brought good energy to the group,” said Vollmer.
Family members like William Baruso also paid their respects. He's related to Diller’s dad. He tells News 12 he knows the family is grateful to see the outpouring of support.
"I went by earlier, I couldn't believe the line. It was amazing,” said Baruso. "He's a great cop. He's doing something he loved."
Also in attendance were members of Diller’s blue family.
Michael Califano's father was a Nassau County police officer who was killed in the line-of-duty more than a decade ago. He said the wake brought back memories for him because his dad was mourned at the very same funeral home. He said he felt obligated to attend.
"No matter how I’m feeling I’m going to support my blue family,” he said.
Califano says he wanted to make sure Diller’s wife Stephanie knew she wasn't alone.
"I understand where she’s at right now and it’s very overwhelming, so I just wanted to make sure that she had somebody who’s not only saying my condolences but actually knows what it’s like to go through where she is right now,” said Califano.
Former President Donald Trump also attended the event, saying, “The Diller family will never be the same, can never be the same.”
He said he met with Officer Diller’s wife, who is now without a husband.
He said the Dillers’ “beautiful” baby is innocent, not knowing “how his life has been changed.”
Members of the NYPD, Nassau police, Suffolk police, and even New York State Troopers stopped by to pay their respects.
Another visitation will take place Friday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Massapequa Funeral Home South Chapel. His funeral service will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
