Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul abruptly left the wake of slain hero New York Police Department officer Jonathan Diller Friday after she was confronted by a mourner and the officer’s widow, police sources told the New York Post.
Hochul showed her face around 1:45 p.m. for the second day of viewing at the Massapequa, Long Island, funeral home hosting the services, according to the Post.
She was only there for about 10 minutes before she abruptly left after being confronted, sources told the Post. (RELATED: Barstool Sports Founder Dave Portnoy Raises $1.5 Million For Jonathan Diller’s Family)
One man, dressed in a black suit, appeared to yell at the governor as he was seen speaking animatedly and gesturing boldly as she entered her car on the way out, the Post reported.
TIME TO GO: Crowd claps as New York Gov. Kathy Hochul leaves slain NYPD officer's wake just minutes after arriving. The incident comes a day after a police union president called on anti-police politicians to stay away from the wake and funeral. https://t.co/ZVThe4Jy97 pic.twitter.com/aSEy7vPGKh
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 30, 2024
Several cops were seen applauding the man after he confronted her, the source told the Post. Officer Diller’s widow was also seen having what appeared to be an “animated” conversation with the governor, according to the Post. A family member told 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,” a witness reportedly told the Post.
Fox News’ Brian Kilmeade reported that Gov. Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James were denied requests to speak at the Saturday morning service.
At an Easter event Saturday, Gov. Hochul said that no one told 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,” said the governor, according to Politico.
Before the services, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent J. Vallelong warned city politicians not to attend the services.
Gov. Kathy Hochul was asked to leave the wake for murdered NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. Completely understandable. https://t.co/VMVUx2n2gx
— Kelly Jane Torrance (@KJTorrance) March 29, 2024
“Their presence is more than a distraction. It is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Vallelong wrote in a letter, according to the Post. He also said the city’s leaders should feel “morally responsible” for the officer’s killing, the Post reported.
Career criminal Guy Rivera was charged with murder Thursday after allegedly gunning down Diller on Tuesday while the officer attempted to confront him for parking illegally. Rivera had 21 prior arrests, mostly for gun and assault charges, the Post reported.
WATCH FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S SPEECH AT DILLER’S WAKE:
Former President Trump at the wake for NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller: “We have to get back to law and order.” pic.twitter.com/7dH6Ktb4hn
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 28, 2024
Diller is survived by his wife and his infant son.