By now, the picture of NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, mid-stride, clearing a barricade while chasing down suspects during Saturday’s attempted bombing during dueling protests outside Gracie Mansion has gone everywhere.

“It was all instinct. There wasn’t a lot of thought. There was a real threat. There was a real danger there, and the goal was to just get to it and take care of business,” Edwards said.

What You Need To Know

NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards said when a suspect threw a lit device into the crowd, there was only one option: move toward danger

Federal prosecutors said two men, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, traveled from Pennsylvania, bringing the improvised explosive devices to the protest

Balat and Kayumi remain in federal custody and are set to appear in court next month, according to officials

Edward says when a suspect threw a lit device into the crowd, there was only one option: move toward danger.

“I didn’t have time to process anything. I saw the device hit the floor, and I just ran,” Edwards said.

“I knew that I needed to save lives, so I ran toward the people to make sure nobody got hurt,” Sergeant Luis Navarro said.

The lit device was mere feet from the men.

Navarro said that when the device hit the ground, years of training immediately took over.

“Everything that I’ve learned in my whole career culminated in that moment,” Navarro said.

Federal prosecutors say two men, Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, traveled from Pennsylvania, bringing the improvised explosive devices to the protest.

According to the police, the botched attack had the potential to cause serious harm if it detonated.

“This is New York City. We’re always on high-alert, but to actually see it, feel it, hear it, it’s completely different [from] anything I’ve ever experienced,” Navarro said.

As the pictures of Edwards clearing the barricade spread online, his wife sent him a text.

“It said, ‘Wrong way, sir,’” Edwards said.

But the police chief said the focus of the picture shouldn’t be on him.

“I want it to be about the day. I want it to be about what we did,” Edwards said.

Balat and Kayumi remain in federal custody and are set to appear in court next month, according to officials.