Praising the cop who got EMT’s killer

THE CITY’S EMS corps on Monday will honor the off-duty transit officer who helped catch the man suspected of killing EMT Yadira Arroyo.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro and others are expected to attend the morning ceremony for MTA Police Officer Daniel McDade.

McDade, a K-9 officer from Long Island, was on his way to Grand Central Terminal for an overtime shift on March 16 when bad traffic led him to take an alternate route through the Soundview section of the Bronx.

McDade saw an ambulance a few cars ahead of him make a right turn and an EMT jump out of the passenger side. The ambulance suddenly went into reverse, hitting two cars and then riding up on a snow bank.

When it lurched forward again, McDade (inset) spotted a person under the vehicle.

It was Arroyo, 44, an EMT with 14 years on the job and mother of five boys.

The commandeered ambulance crashed into the sidewalk and came to a halt.

The man behind the wheel, identified by police as Jose Gonzalez, 25, jumped out.

McDade approached Gonzalez with his gun drawn — but then holstered his weapon and subdued the man with the help of two bystanders.

Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty to the two murder counts against him.

Israel Miranda, president of Local 2507, the EMS union, said he expected a large turnout at the Monday event to honor Office McDade.

“We are honored to be able to give this brave police officer the respect he deserves for stepping up while he was off-duty and apprehending the man charged with killing our beloved sister Yadira,” Miranda said.

The event will be at Arroyo’s Station 26, the “Tin House,” at 11 a.m. at 1264 Boston Rd. in the Bronx.

The Daily News launched a fund to help Arroyo’s family with an initial gift of $10,000. Generous readers boosted the fund to more than $125,000.