Addabbo Presents Empire Award to Local Business For Honoring Slain Police Officer

(July 24, 2024) - Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. presented the prestigious New York State Empire Award, a proclamation, and a citation to Mario’s Meat Market and Gourmet Deli located at 75-55 Metropolitan Ave in Middle Village. 

The accolades were in recognition of the establishment's commendable act of naming a sandwich after the late Police Officer Jonathan Diller and generously donating a portion of the proceeds to support his widow and son.

"It just goes to show the generosity of local business owners and their desire to support the community and police officers,” Addabbo said. “Mario’s and its owner Joe are very deserving of the Empire Award, and it is my privilege to be able to honor them in this special way."

The sandwich was available for one month – April 2024 – and Mario’s sold about 3,000 of the special "The NYPD" hoagie, making it the establishment’s most popular sandwich to date, according to owner, Joe DiGangi. The sandwich featured a chicken cutlet, prosciutto, mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula drizzled with balsamic glaze. A portion of the proceeds from each sale was allocated to Officer Diller's widow, Stephanie Diller, and their 1-year-old son, Ryan. 

Publicity surrounded the sale of the sandwich spreading the word nationwide, according to DiGangi, who said he received calls from across the country asking about how people could buy the sandwich or just donate money to help Diller’s family, which seemed to bolster the family’s GoFundMe page.

Officer Jonathan Diller, 31, tragically lost his life while on duty in Far Rockaway on March 25. Approaching a suspicious vehicle parked illegally at a bus stop, Officer Diller was fatally shot in the stomach beneath his bulletproof vest by the passenger of the vehicle.

The New York State Senate Empire Award stands as the Senate's highest accolade for small businesses, presented periodically to local establishments that epitomize a steadfast commitment not only to their patrons and staff but also to their communities and the state of New York as a whole.