NYPD Cop's Tragic Death: Accomplice Faces Justice, But Is It Enough?

The accomplice of the cowardly career criminal who gunned down hero NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller was hit with a five-year prison sentence Wednesday, ending the tragic case.

Lindy Jones, 43, clutched a Quran as he walked into Queens Supreme Court to plead guilty to a felony gun rap tied to the March 25, 2024 shooting death of the beloved cop.

“No sentence will bring back Jonathan,” NYPD PBA President Patrick Hendry told reporters. “The pain will never go away for this family. But there’s some comfort in this individual staying in jail where he belongs.

“It’s not enough,” he added. “But this individual is taking responsibility, and he will stay behind bars, where he belongs.”

Jones was behind the wheel of a Kia Soul when Diller and his partners approached the suspicious vehicle in Far Rockaway – moments before cop killer Guy Rivera opened fire on the officers.

Diller, a married dad, was struck and fatally wounded while Rivera and Jones were busted.

Police found a loaded 9 mm handgun in the glove compartment and hit Jones with weapons charges, with the thug allegedly confessing to police, “I shoot people.”

He was charged with four counts of felony gun possession and pleaded guilty to one count.

Jones’ lawyer argued for a sentence of 3 ½ years, noting that the gun his client had in the car was never fired – but Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Yavinsky sided with prosecutors and sentenced him to five years behind bars.

He had at least 14 arrests on his rap sheet before the encounter with Diller, including for robbery and asault. 

Shockingly, a Queens jury acquitted Rivera of the top murder charge at his trial but found him guilty of manslaughter, attempted murder of NYPD Sgt. Sasha Rosen and weapons possession.

The cop killer was sentenced to 115 years to life in prison in April.

In court then, the slain officer’s widow, Stephanie Diller, slammed the killer.

“One day you will stand before God and answer for what you did to Jonathan,” she said through tears. “You have given us a life sentence without him.”

About three dozen NYPD cops packed the courtroom, with Diller’s mom in the audience.

Outside the courthouse, Jones’ uncle told reporters he thought his nephew had done enough time behind bars since his arrest — and questioned why he didn’t take the case to trial.

“I just hope he gets justice sometime — somewhere, somehow,” Michael Jackson, 67, said. “He did enough years. He did enough, he paid his dues, he should get out.

“He made bad decision,” he said. “He made a bad decision.”