These were cutlets for a cause.
A landmark Queens deli sold 2,217 chicken-cutlet sandwiches to help the family of slain NYPD cop Jonathan Diller — raising more than $15,000 in the process.
Mario’s Meat Market and Gourmet Deli in Middle Village gave $5 of each sale of the special “The NYPD” hoagie — chicken cutlet, prosciutto, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and arugula drizzled with balsamic glaze — to widow Stephanie Diller and the couple’s 1-year-old son, Ryan.
Owner Joe DiGangi said the 2,217 sandwiches sold generated $11,085 to give to Diller’s family, but he collected an additional $4,100 in separate donations — for a total of $15,185.
“We have been truly overwhelmed by the generosity of our local community, and by the generosity of people all across the country,” DiGangi said.
A separate Go Fund Me page has raised more than $1 million, he noted in an Instagram post.
More than $2 million has been released for the Diller family overall — when including donations from Barstool Sports founder David Portnoy and others.
“All of us at Mario’s would like to express our profound gratitude and appreciation for your help in raising money for PO Diller’s wife and little boy. We thank you on their behalf and hope that the kindness you all have demonstrated helps to restore your faith in humanity, as much as it has ours,” DiGangi said.
Queens Councilman Robert Holden, who represents Middle Village where Mario’s deli is located, praised the eatery and constituents for charity directed to the Diller family.
“I’m proud to represent a community that supports our law enforcement and can come together to help the Diller family in these difficult times. Mario’s Meats and my neighbors consistently step up when it counts,” Holden said.
Diller was on patrol in March when he was shot in the stomach by career criminal Guy Rivera, 34. Diller and his partner approved Rivera’s vehicle, which was parked in front of a bus stop, on Mott Avenue in Far Rockaway, according to video and police.
Rivera is also a seasoned criminal with 21 busts under his belt and spent five years in state prison on a drug conviction before he was released in 2021 and completed his parole in 2022.
Rivera – who has been indicted on charges of murder in the first and second degrees, attempted murder in the first and second degrees, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree for the homicide – could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted, prosecutors said.
Lindy Jones, the 41-year-old ex-con who was in the driver’s seat during the killing, faces multiple charges of criminal possession of a weapon and faces 15 years behind bars.
