Zach Bryan honors slain NYPD cop Jonathan Diller at Long Island concert just hours after his funeral
LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Musician Zach Bryan, paid a heartfelt tribute to NYPD officer Jonathan Diller during his concert in Long Island, just hours after the officer’s funeral.
Officer Diller was shot and killed in the line of duty on March 25, at a traffic stop in the Far Rockaway area of Queens.
His death sparked national outrage, with thousands attending his funeral in Massapequa Park, New York, on March 30.
Zach Bryan's tribute to fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller
Bryan shared the tragic news of Diller’s passing with thousands of fans at the UBS Arena.
“I got some really bad news this morning. Someone told me there’s an officer named Jonathan Diller who passed away in the line of duty, and he was from Long Island, right here,” Bryan said, according to Fox News.
Beautiful tribute by Zach Bryan during his concert on Long Island tonight in honor of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/opv8Wph0Vg
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) March 31, 2024
As he addressed the crowd, an image of Diller was displayed on the jumbotron. Bryan expressed his sorrow, saying, “I want to say that that is heartbreaking."
"And um, I can’t even imagine, so I’m gonna try my best to sing this and not mess it up. Just know I respect and love you guys so much, and I’m so sorry,” he added.
He then sang his hit 'Jake’s Piano', dedicating it to Diller and all first responders.
“That’s for Officer Jonathan Diller,” Bryan told the crowd. “And any cop, any EMS, any first responders. We love the s*** out of you. Seriously. You’re so brave.”
Zach Bryan's history with police
Bryan, who’s currently on his ‘Quittin Time’ tour, has had interesting encounters with law enforcement. Last fall, he was arrested for obstruction during a traffic stop in rural Oklahoma.
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When he was handcuffed, he was heard saying, “F****** cops are out of hand, truly.”
He later apologized for his behavior, stating, “I do respect police officers and I made a massive mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family and the people I love but all I can do now is sincerely apologize.”
Following his apology, the National Police Association praised Bryan for his honesty.
Sgt Betsy Brantner Smith, spokesperson for the National Police Association, told Fox News Digital, “Then he very quickly came out with that apology that, you know, seemed to us to be… a very sincere, heartfelt apology.”
