On March 29, 2024, Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul suddenly exited the wake of New York Police Department officer Jonathan Diller after she was approached by a mourner and the police officer’s widow.
According to the Daily Caller, Hochul appeared around 1:45 p.m. for the second day of viewing at the funeral home hosting the services, which is located in Massapequa, Long Island.
She stayed there for roughly 10 minutes prior to briskly leaving the scene after being confronted.
One man, donning a black suit, was apparently shouting at the governor as he was seen speaking loudly and gesturing in an expressive manner as she entered her car as she left the scene.
Several law enforcement officers were seen congratulating the man after he confronted her. Officer Diller’s widow was also seen to be having a heated discussion with the governor. A family member said to the governor “[w]e don’t want you here. You’re not wanted here. You have blood on your hands. If you want to do something, change the bail laws,” according to a witness report.
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade reported Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James were denied requests to speak at the morning service on March 30.
During an Easter event on March 31, Hochul claimed that no one requested her to leave. “I would do it again, and that’s my job. My job is to be there when people need me. If they need to talk to me, and they all needed to talk to me, my job is to listen,” Hochul stated.
Prior to the services, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent J. Vallelong issued a warning to city politicians to not participate in the services.
“Their presence is more than a distraction. It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Vallelong declared in a letter. He also stated that the city’s leaders should feel “morally responsible” for the murder of the officer.
Guy Rivera, a criminal with a long rap sheet, received a murder charge on March 29 after murdering Diller on March 27 while the officer attempted to cite him for illegally parking. Rivera had 21 previous arrests, largely for firearms and assault charges.
Such occurrences, whether it’s on law enforcement or civilians, assaults will continue to occur if soft-on crime policies are kept in place. Only law-and-order policies can solve this perennial problem.