Monday, January 20, 2025
Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh hosted a heartfelt evening on Nov. 20 to raise funds for the Detective Jonathan Diller Memorial Scholarship. The inaugural event, which featured food, drinks, live entertainment, and a raffle with contributions from Long Island businesses, drew strong support from the community and law enforcement agencies.
The scholarship fund honors NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was killed in the line of duty on March 25 during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens. Proceeds will support juniors and seniors at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, Diller’s alma mater, who are pursuing careers in law enforcement or are family members of law enforcement officers.
“Detective Diller’s dedication to police work, and his love of being a police officer, was apparent to all who knew him,” Larry Weinberger, president of MGD Investments and organizer of the fund, said. “This fund will create a never-ending legacy for Detective Diller.”
The fundraiser drew in around 500 people, including Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino, and representatives from the New York, Nassau and Suffolk County police departments. The Pipes & Drums of The Emerald Society of the NYPD performed, as did the Joe Saladino Band.
Around $70 thousand dollars were raised to help fund annual tuition scholarships for St. Mary’s students. Raffle prizes ranged from dining gift cards to VIP tickets to the Billy Joel exhibit at the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame. Businesses such as Umberto’s, Gino’s Tuscany, and Rejuvenate Spa contributed.
Diller’s widow, Stephanie, expressed her gratitude for the support and shared what St. Mary’s High School meant to her husband.
“Jonathan always talked so fondly about his time there and he always was involved in sports and was very active, and that’s what made him into the person he was,” she said. “I want the scholarship to go to someone who is just like Jonathan and to have that experience and to continue for people to become like him. We need more of Jonathan in the world.”
The event saw donations from across the region, including contributions from the NYPD, Nassau and Suffolk County police departments, and local businesses.
“Jonathan Diller is someone we all look up to,” Joseph Saladino, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, said. “We appreciate that Jonathan has always been a hero and we’re going to make sure that his memory and his passion for the community and his love for all of us always lives on.”
Donations to the scholarship fund can still be made at tinyurl.com/DillerScholarshipFund.
