The world\u2019s most famous arena stood up for the Big Apple\u2019s most famous cop.<\/p>\n
NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards, who chased down ISIS-inspired wannabe bombers outside Gracie Mansion in a viral moment, got a standing ovation from Knicks fans<\/a> at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, the latest accolade for the humble hero.<\/p>\n \u201cPlease join us in honoring a 23-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards,\u201d the announcer said during the Knicks game against the New Orleans Pelicans.<\/p>\n NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards gets a standing ovation at Madison Square Garden. X\/@TheGarden<\/p>\n How The Post covered NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards\u2019 heroic moment outside Gracie Mansion. rfaraino<\/p>\n \u201cOn March 7 explosive devices were thrown into a crowded protest outside Gracie Mansion,\u201d the announcer said. \u201cChief Edwards jumped over a police barricade and ran toward the threat without hesitation, exemplifying the kind of courage that defines New York\u2019s Finest.\u201d<\/p>\n The packed crowd of nearly 20,000 rose to give the chief a standing ovation \u2014 as Edwards pointed to the Knicks logo on his sweatshirt, the video shows.<\/p>\n Edwards was on duty outside the mayor\u2019s mansion during a rowdy anti-Muslim rally when two maniacs in a counter-protest group \u2014 Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19 \u2014 tossed homemade bombs, with one landing just steps from the chief.<\/p>\n A split second later Edwards hopped a barricade<\/a> and helped chase down Balat \u2014 without knowing that the crudely made devices would fail to detonate. <\/p>\n Accused terror bomber Emir Balat tries to flee after dropping a homemade bomb in front of cops. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n The Tuesday night Knicks crowd at Madison Square Garden gives NYPD Chief Aaron Edwards a standing O. X\/@TheGarden<\/p>\n A photo of the cop\u2019s heroics that shows him hopping the barrier has been an online sensation.<\/p>\n Edwards shrugged off the feat as just part of the job in a follow-up interview with The Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of rank, regardless of life, regardless of position, you\u2019re a cop first,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce a cop, always a cop. When you see danger, you have that cop in you. You react to it.\u201d<\/p>\n NYPD Assistant Chief Aaron Edwards is a 23-year veteran and now a humble hero. J.C. Rice for NY Post<\/p>\n