Hero officer’s mom ‘worries every day’
ONLINE BOMB INSTRUCTIONS
THE MOM OF a hero Port Authority cop — one of four officers who took down a would-be suicide bomber Monday in a Times Square subway passage — swelled with pride at his quick actions.
“I got goose bumps. I just wanted to start crying,” said Angela Manfredini, the mother of Anthony Manfredini, 28, a rookie member of the Port Authority Police Department who previous- ly served in the Marine Corps for five years.
Manfredini (top inset) and three fellow Port Authority officers were credited with tackling Akayed Ullah, 27, and restraining him about 7:20 a.m. just after he partially detonated a pipe bomb. They grabbed him before he could do anything else.
Manfredini was on patrol when he noticed people rushing from the area and saw smoke, sources said. He called for backup and Officers Drew Preston, 36 (center inset), Jack Collins, 45, and Sean Gallagher, 26 (bottom inset), responded. Wires ran from Ullah’s jacket to his pants with something strapped to his body under his coat, police sources said.
When cops approached, Ullah was reaching for a cell phone. They cuffed him immediately — fearing he may have been reaching for a detonator — and called for an ambulance.
Gallagher is also a former Marine. Collins is a former lawyer.
Preston is a 13-year Army veteran who served three tours in combat zones — twice in Iraq and once in Afghanistan.
Preston’s wife, Christine Ramagnano Preston, is more than eight months pregnant with their second child. Her husband called quickly after the incident to check in and let her know he was OK.
“We’re very proud of Drew and everyone that serves and protects both at home and abroad,” said Ramagnano Preston, a social worker.
Angela Manfredini said she got a text from her daughter, who takes the train every day, saying Anthony had a part in catching the suspect. “You worry every day,” the elder Manfredini said. “It’s a crazy world out there.”
Three commuters suffered minor injuries, including ringing in the ears.
Ullah suffered burns and lacerations and was at Bellevue Hospital in serious condition.