NYPD cop emerges as hero in attacks

A New York City police officer was being hailed as a hero Wednesday after shooting the man accused of a Manhattan terror attack that killed eight people and wounded 12 others.

Ryan Nash, 28, is a decorated, fiveyear veteran of the force stationed in Lower Manhattan.

“He was a hero,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “I think Officer Nash showed how important (patrol officers) are, and how talented they are and how brave. So we all applaud and congratulate him.”

Nash and another officer were responding to an unrelated call Tuesday afternoon at Stuyvesant High School when they were alerted by civilians about an apparent car crash nearby, said John Miller, NYPD deputy commissioner.

Miller said Sayfullo Saipov, a 29year-old truck driver from Uzbekistan, drove a rented truck onto a bike path, slamming into riders for almost a mile before crashing into a school bus near the World Trade Center memorial.

Saipov was confronted by Nash and two other officers, who “observed people down at the scene,” Miller said Wednesday.

Saipov was wielding what appeared to be two weapons that he refused to drop on orders from the officers, police said.

“One of those officers, Ryan Nash, takes action and fires his service weapon, bringing the attack to an end,” Miller said.

Nash, who was treated for minor injuries, is a New Jersey native who previously won two NYPD awards for Excellent Police Duty and one for Meritorious Police Duty, ABC News reported. He lives on Long Island with his girlfriend, the network said.

“This is what he did for the city, and this is what he did for the country,” Police Commissioner James O’Neill said. “I’m really proud of him.”