Dedication Ceremony - November 7th, 2025

The administrators, alumni, faculty, and religious of St. Mary’s High School hosted a Dedication event in celebration of their newly installed Diller Scoreboard on the newly turfed Denihan Field.

The Dedication took place on Friday, November 7 with a Welcome Reception followed by a ceremony and presentation at 12:00 noon. Thanks to the generous support of a few dedicated donors, Denihan Field was re-turfed over the summer to include new lines and the school’s logo, and the Timothy J. Coughlin Scoreboard was replaced to additionally bear the name ‘Diller’ in remembrance of Det. Jonathan Diller ‘10, who was killed in the line of duty on March 25, 2024.

As a student, Diller was both a scholar and a proud member of the St. Mary’s championship lacrosse team, leaving his mark on the classroom and the field alike. After graduating from SUNY Maritime, he became a devoted servant to the people of New York City, remembered for his courage, sacrifice, and love of community. St. Mary’s now honors his memory with a scoreboard that will stand as a lasting symbol of dedication, teamwork, and Gael pride.

Honoring and remembering those that have gone before them by keeping their names alive is an important reminder for the students that they are striving to be saints.

The Dedication was an inclusive event – parents, alumni, faculty, staff, religious, parishioners, local politicians, business owners, and of course all of the students – were present to witness and appreciate the significance of this impressive investment in the future of St. Mary’s, and honor Diller’s ultimate sacrifice.

St. Mary’s was honored to host several important guests at the Dedication, especially members of the Diller Family, including Diller’s mother, father, brother, and widow, Stephanie Diller; Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman; Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder; Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena; Detective and former Representative Anthony D’Esposito; and Chairman and CEO of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation Frank Siller.

Principal Gerard Buckley began the program by inviting members of the NYPD Pipes and Drums to line the field and play an upbeat set while the Ironside Motorcycle Club rode onto the field with Fr. Rooney riding on the back of a motorcycle waving the St. Mary’s battle flag. The American flag was raised to God Bless America performed by the NYPD Ceremonial Unit while all stood at attention, including a NCPD Mounted Unit and NYPD K9 Unit.

To begin the stage presentation, Fr. Coogan blessed the field and shared how the field will be “an arena where Catholic sportsmanship is played out” and how “Catholic sportsmanship is all about sacrifice.” Principal Buckley compared the pillars of the NYPD to those of the Catholic mission at St. Mary’s. Both Executive Blakeman and Commissioner Ryder spoke similarly, remarking on the importance of honoring Diller and others like him who serve our community so that we may retain our freedoms and our safety; they also separately mentioned the value of St. Mary’s and the way the school creates citizens who care, remember, and are more likely to live with purpose, now inspired by Diller’s sacrifice.

Stephanie Diller expressed how proud she was that her husband’s alma mater was going to keep Diller’s memory alive in such a prominent way, “a place where his heart, his spirit, and his determination will live on.” She was additionally presented with a lacrosse jersey for her young son, bearing her husband’s name and number, 18.

Connecting Diller’s legacy to the future and the special community that is St. Mary’s was student speaker Laila Carr ‘26. She shared: