A special ceremony was held at Catering by Arata in Sea Cliff on October 17 to announce that the deli raised $1,000 for the family of slain New York City police officer Jonathan Diller. Nassau County Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) joined the deli’s owners, Ron and Rachel Collura, as well as Nassau County and NYPD officers at the event.
Diller, a Massapequa Park resident, was shot and killed on March 25 during a traffic stop in Queens. Following Diller’s senseless line-of-duty murder, Ron and Rachel began raising funds through a tip jar on the deli counter. In fact, as the deli was filled with officers and leaders of the Nassau County and New York City PBAs, donations kept pouring in right up until moments before the handoff to NYPD PBA Delegate Chris Kiefer for delivery to the Diller family.
Ron Collura said he was tremendously inspired by the amount of support for the effort.
“When this happened, it really hit home because my son happened to be in Far Rockaway a couple of weeks before, they were getting somebody, arresting somebody – and two weeks later, this happened,” Ron Collura said to the officers gathered in the deli. Two of his and Rachel’s six children are law enforcement professionals, with one in the Nassau County Police Department’s Bureau of Special Operations and another serving as a court officer.
“You just try to put yourself in the place of his widow with that little kid, and you can’t even think about it – we tell all of our kids we love them every day. By the weight of this jug, there’s a lot of people who really love you guys and thank you for all you do,” Ron Collura said.
DeRiggi-Whitton and leaders of both the Nassau County and NYPD PBAs lauded the success of this grassroots effort.
“This was people coming in, seeing the photo, and knowing they wanted to do something to make sure that not only was the family financially secure, but they know now – and that little boy will know forever – that the community loves and supports that family,” DeRiggi-Whitton said. “I can’t thank Ron and Rachel enough for this effort, and I am so grateful to represent a community that has such a big heart and supports our police and first responders.”
“This was a tragedy beyond belief, and for members of numerous communities to come out and help the family – that thing gets heavier and heavier with money, and it all adds up to what the family needs,” Nassau County PBA First Vice President Kevin Mullick said. “As a resident of Massapequa, this hit me very hard, and we are very thankful for your support.”
“Thank you so much to you and the community for your donations. I know Stephanie is going to put this money to good use,” NYPD PBA Delegate Chris Kiefer said. “To see the outpouring of love for the police department – while we don’t always see it out there on the streets, it’s good to see things like this and people that care about law enforcement and come out and support us.”