April 6, 2023 The NYPD officers— Officers Paul Cozzolino, Mickel Hanna and Louis Iorio — were allegedly attacked by a self-declared Islamic jihadist in Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
By Michael Gartland Source New York Daily News Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The three NYPD officers who responded to a Times Square attack last New Year’s Eve received proclamations for their heroism on Wednesday from Mayor Adams, who saluted them for professionalism during a ceremony at City Hall.
The three cops — Officers Paul Cozzolino, Mickel Hanna and Louis Iorio — were allegedly attacked by self-declared Islamic jihadist Trevor Bickford on the crowded corner of Eighth Ave. and W. 52nd St. Bickford is now facing both federal and state charges.
Cozzolino, a rookie at the time, suffered a fractured skull. Iorio, an eight-year NYPD veteran, suffered a gash to his head. Hanna shot Bickford in the shoulder.
“They were attacked by a machete-wielding man by Times Square. They responded accordingly,” Adams said in City Hall’s Blue Room. “It was a moment of fear and trepidation.”
Adams also noted while Cozzolino and Iorio both had to be hospitalized for their wounds, they are now both back on duty, as is Hanna.
“There’s a reason New York City is the safest big city in this nation,” the mayor said. “It’s because of the bravery and professionalism of each one of these officers.”