The Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund Announced for St. Mary’s High School Students

Local News

By Published: October 02 2024

LongIsland.com

Inaugural kick-off fundraiser event to be held at Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:30 p.m.

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Elected officials, community leaders, family members, friends and colleagues of the late NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller all gathered today at Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall to announce the establishment of the Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund in his memory. This fund will help students pursue their education at St. Mary’s Highs School in Manhasset, NY. NYPD Detective Diller lost his life in the line of duty earlier this year on March 25, when he was murdered during a traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.

The charity will hold its kick-off fundraiser event at Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall in Wantagh (3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh, NY) on Wednesday, November 20th, 2024, from 6:30 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. The event will feature a tribute to Detective Diller, food, drinks, raffle prizes, and entertainment.

The proceeds raised from the event will directly fund annual tuition scholarships for students at St. Mary’s High School. The fund was organized and established by Larry Weinberger, President of MGD Investments who gathered supporters and sponsors.
 
“Detective Diller’s dedication to police work, and his love of being a police officer, was apparent to all who knew him,” Weinberger said. “This fund will create a never-ending legacy for Detective Diller as every year the high school Jonathan attended, St. Mary’s, will select a student(s) in need of support pursuing their education and career goals.”
 
Jonathan Diller’s wife Stephanie was there to support the effort and spoke about what St. Mary’s meant to him and her hopes for this scholarship to give students the opportunity to follow in her husband’s footsteps. 
 

“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,” said Stephanie. “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.”

St. Mary’s High School has established a featured webpage for the scholarship which outlines the details and allows for donations. This page is accessible by visiting https://tinyurl.com/DillerScholarshipFund.

“St. Mary’s High School is pleased to announce that the memory and legacy of Detective Jonathan Diller, Class of 2010, will be honored by establishing a scholarship fund in his name,” said Eileen Symmons, Communications Director for St. Mary’s Parish and Schools. “Jonathan was our brother in Christ who led by example in the classrooms and on the lacrosse field. Detective Diller’s exemplary service as a police officer—and dedication to his family and the community—will be remembered through this scholarship as a lasting tribute. It will support deserving students in pursuing academic achievement, athleticism, teamwork, Catholic faith, and service.”
 
Principal Gerard J. Buckley and faculty member and Varsity Boys Lacrosse Head Coach Matthew Panetta attended and spoke at the announcement on behalf of St. Mary’s High School, where Jonathan was a popular student and lacrosse player from 2007 to 2010.
 
“We are grateful to Mr. Larry Weinberger of MGD Investments and his team for spearheading the fundraiser at Mulcahy’s on November 20, 2024, which will officially launch the Detective Jonathan Diller Scholarship Fund,” Buckley said. “We are immensely blessed and express our humble gratitude to Mrs. Stephanie Diller, who has generously directed all proceeds from the event to be donated to St. Mary’s High School in her husband’s name.”

The fund is already gaining strong community support from across the region from New York City to Suffolk County as representatives from the New York Police Department (NYPD), Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), and Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) were on hand.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino attended the press conference announcement to show his support. 

“Establishing a high school scholarship in memory of fallen NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller honors his dedication to public service and commitment to his community,” stated Saladino.

“This scholarship will support students who demonstrate leadership, resilience, and a passion for helping others—reflecting the values Detective Diller upheld throughout his life. Through this initiative, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.”

Additional sponsors and supporters include the Mulcahy’s Pub & Concert Hall, MGD Investments, Dream Studios and the EGC Group. The fund is accepting donations from businesses and the community of a service or an item for the raffle for the kick-off fundraiser.

Admission to the fundraiser event is $ 65. Tickets can be purchased on MULS.com by clicking on the link for the event https://muls.com/event/det-jonathan-diller-scholarship-fundraiser

For more information, to support this effort or donate, please call 516-409-1800.

For more information about the scholarship or to donate, please visit https://tinyurl.com/DillerScholarshipFund.