A photo of NYPD Officer Aaron Edwards went viral during the protests. Gracie MansionMayor’s Mansion, Zoran Mamdani. Edwards was seen jumping a barricade to tackle a suspect who threw an improvised device into the crowd, while activist-led protesters on January 6, just jackand clashed with counter-protesters.
“Some heroes wear capes – Chief Aaron Edwards wears a blue cape,” the caption read. As of this writing, the post has been viewed more than 13 million times.
Edwards tackled Barratt, 18, as Barratt was preparing to throw away another device he had obtained from 19-year-old Ibrahim Qayoumi. Bharat was thrown to the ground and the entire incident was captured on video.
As Edwards made the tackle, Officer Luis Navarro ran toward a second device on the ground next to Barratt. Mamdani publicly thanked the two officers, who “faced a chaotic situation that could quickly become more dangerous.”
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“This is courage, this is selflessness, and I am deeply grateful to both of them and to every member of the New York City Police Department who works every day to keep New Yorkers safe,” the mayor said. He also privately thanked Edwards and Navarro.
Here’s everything you need to know about Aaron Edwards.
Aaron Edwards: 5 things to know
- Edwards has been with the New York Police Department for 23 years and was most recently appointed Northern Manhattan Borough Chief in December.
- Commissioner Jessica Tisch said he was inspired to become a police officer after seeing the actions of NYPD officers on 9/11.
- Edwards, 44, began working for the New York Police Department in 2003. Prior to serving as Assistant Chief of Patrol for the Northern District of Manhattan, Edwards worked in the NYPD’s Office of Public Information.
- He has worked in Manhattan for most of his career, including stints with the Organized Crime Bureau in the 17th Precinct on Manhattan’s East Side and the Narcotics Enforcement Unit in Midtown South.
- In February, the NYPD Guardians, a fraternal organization of black police officers, honored Edwards as its “Man of the Year.”
Navarro, meanwhile, grew up in Puerto Rico and New York before settling in Washington Heights in the Bronx. He has served for 11 years. Navarro joined the NYPD after a close friend encouraged him to take the test, according to the commissioner.
