Staff Reports
In a world often dominated by the bland and the boring, every once in a while, a real-life hero comes along to shake things up. Enter NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, a man not content to wait for danger to pass him by, but boldly charging straight toward it. Heeding no warning signs, and certainly no protest from his wife, Edwards decided to play the hero when he chased down two would-be bombers near Gracie Mansion. With a city at stake and two young men inspired by ISIS up to no good, New York City was saved from a potentially tragic scene thanks to Edwards and his fearless partner, Sergeant Luis Navaro.
Now, let’s pause for a moment to appreciate the audacity it takes to run towards peril when every instinct would suggest doing the exact opposite. Most people, after all, would sprint away from trouble as fast as they could. However, Edwards felt his duty was to rush in so others could rush out. His response to the acknowledgment of his bravery was that this kind of thing is just part of being a police officer. In a city where unexpected perils lurk around every corner, knowing there are folks like Edwards and Navaro on the watch does bring a certain comfort. It also makes you wonder if superhero capes will become the next big request in NYPD uniform departments.
The scene unfolded when two bumbling bombers, perhaps more inspired by Wile E. Coyote than anything else, aimed to cause chaos with homemade explosives. Their misguided attempt landed them in hot water, as their devices didn’t function properly. One might suggest they should have spent a little more time reading the instructions before leaving Pennsylvania, but in the grand scheme of things, their ill-fated plan probably did everyone a favor. These two young men, one just 18 and the other 19, hoped to do serious harm inspired by the dark whispers of extremism. Lucky for us, Edwards was ready to write a different ending for this story, staying true to his mission to protect and serve.
The real kicker here might be that their plot didn’t work because of pure incompetence. Investigators noted the bombs were packed with metal and chemicals, but the clueless duo failed in what could have been great comedy if it wasn’t so serious. It strikes a chord that such a close call reminds the city and its residents to remain on alert, a lasting impact of the fateful events since 9/11. Anyone else hoping it was all just a setup for a new reality TV show involving bad guys and worse plans?
In a delightful twist, Edwards and Navaro were brought into the spotlight without fanfare, just pure action. Whether or not they’ll get their day at Gracie Mansion or a nod from the mayor is anyone’s guess. However, for those who walk through the streets of New York City, knowing there are heroes like Chief Edwards keeping watch is reassurance enough. Now, if only the city could figure out better invitations for those risking their lives rather than just knives and forks at lukewarm functions; until then, city folks can just savor the knowledge that their lives are safeguarded by some of the best in the business.
