THANK YOU NYPD OFFICERS EDWARDS AND NAVARRO

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To the Editor,

I would like to publicly commend the two NYPD officers, Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro, who ran towards two ISIS-inspired terrorists as they launched dangerous explosive devices at members of the public in front of New York’s Gracie Mansion on March 7th. Avowed ISIS supporters Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi attempted to detonate deadly bombs with the goal of inflicting mass casualties when Asst. Chief Edwards and Sgt. Navarro intercepted and tackled them, stopping their actions.

Both officers are being commended and recognized as heroes within and beyond New York. One can’t help but be amazed when reading about Asst. Chief Edwards’ motivations for becoming a police officer. On September 11, 2001, when he was a young college student, he witnessed police running into the burning Twin Towers to rescue people. On that day, he decided he wanted to help protect the people of NYC.

There is a fantastic photograph of Asst. Chief Edwards leaping over a metal barrier to stop the bombers. The picture is worth a thousand words: descriptors of how selfless and brave the officers of the NYPD can be.

God bless him and all of the brave police officers who put themselves in the way of terrorists so that we may walk the streets safely. Sadly, the present climate of New York City could breed more unfortunate situations, but one finds reassurance in the words of Asst. Chief Edwards, as he stated, “You’re going to be watching a little closer, especially in the near-term, any events that’s coming up, we got to have a little more resources out there for them.”

Thank you,
Jessica Dieckman