A lucky New York Islanders fan on Saturday took home the biggest 50/50 raffle in team history — half of which was donated to the family of slain NYPD Detective Jonathan Diller, who was a superfan of the Long Island-based team.
Ticket number NN-3280295 was pulled for the record-breaking $152,659 prize shortly before the Isles beat the Nashville Predators in a 2-0 win on their home turf at UBS Arena in Elmont.
The team had announced earlier in the week that the other half of the hefty purse would benefit Diller’s widow, Stephanie, and the couple’s 1-year-old son, Ryan, who were left behind when a career criminal shot and killed the detective last month during a routine traffic stop in Far Rockaway, Queens.
“Thank YOU, #IslesNation. With your contributions, tonight’s 50/50 is an #Isles franchise record $152,659. That means that the Diller family will take home more than $76,000,” the team said on X.
Saturday’s prize pot soared beyond any preceding raffle from the season — the second-highest prize capped out at $84,800 during an October game against the Buffalo Sabres.
The winner’s luck extended to the New York team — the Islanders emerged victorious against the Predators for the first time since 2017.
The win marks the Islander’s fourth straight win, making their chances of cinching a playoff spot even more viable.
The team hosts 50/50 raffles at almost every game, whether at home or away, to benefit charities ranging from Tunnel to Towers to Alzheimer’s Association.
The Isles had honored Diller at several games since his tragic murder.
Diller, who purchased a home in Massapequa, was a passionate fan of the Islanders — with the priest presiding over his funeral even imploring mourners to “pray for the Isles.”
Three-year department veteran Diller was killed when he approached two men in a car parked at a bus stop — both career criminals with dozens of prior arrests, according to the NYPD and sources.
Passenger Guy Rivera, 34, shot the officer just below his bulletproof vest in an ensuing scuffle, cops and sources said.
Rivera has 21 prior arrests and was found to have a shiv stored in his rectum during the shooting — in apparent anticipation of being sent to jail again.
Lindy Jones, the ex-con behind the wheel of the car during the shooting, was also arrested after a second gun was found in his car.
NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban posthumously promoted Diller to detective during his funeral on Saturday, with badge number 110 in a nod to little Ryan’s birthday.
