Denis Dillon, Former County DA, Dies at 76

Former Nassau County District Attorney Denis Dillon died on Sunday morning. He was 76. The Rockville Centre resident held office for 31 years before losing to current DA Kathleen Rice in 2005.

"Today we mourn the loss of a friend and top crime fighter Denis Dillon, said County Executive Ed Mangano. "Serving Nassau families for eight terms as district attorney, Dillon protected the way of life we've all come to expect in Nassau County. We extend our hearts and prayers to the Dillon family and wish Denis God speed."

In 1974, Dillion was elected as the county's district attorney, beating GOP incumbent William Cahn. After running unsuccessfully for New York State governor in 1986, he switched to the Republican Party in 1989 due to his anti-abortion advocacy ties. That same year, he was re-elected to his fifth term.

In 1993, Dillon was diagnosed with cancer, though it didn't stop his political aspirations. He was reelected as DA for the eight time in 2001, but lost his reelection bid to Rice in 2005. After his electoral loss, Dillon worked with a the Rockville Centre law practice of Michael DerGarabedian. 

County DA Kathleen Rice issued this statement on Dillon's death. 

"There exists no doubt that he was a man of integrity, of principle and of tireless commitment to our community," she said. "His service was never about him, but about advocacy that he believed would help others. That selflessness spanned the length of his lifelong public service and will remain an inspirational pillar of our office long after his passing. Our community is less today because of this loss."

Other high-profile cases Dillion handled while in office included the 1995 conviction of Colin Ferguson, the Long Island Railroad gunmen, as well as being the prosecutor on the Amy Fisher case, the 16-year-old who shot Mary Jo Buttafucco — her lover's wife — in 1992.

Senator Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre)  said he was saddened by Dillon's death, and that he'll remember Dillon as a man of conviction and personal values. "His beliefs and religion always trumped any political ambition he may have had - or that others had for him," Skelos said.

Dillon's wake is scheduled for tomorrow from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Thomas Glynn and Son Funeral home in Rockville Centre. His funeral mass is planned for Thursday at St. Agnes Cathedral.