And now he’s a hero.

Nash was out in his patrol car on a routine call on Tuesday afternoon, cruising the streets as he looked for a suicidal teenager, a 17-year-old girl, after someone called in. Then he came upon a scene he could never have imagined: a terrorist had just driven down a pedestrian walkway, killing eight and wounding 11, before smashing his rented truck and setting off on foot.

When Nash, 28, saw the terrorist, Sayfullo Saipov, near Stuyvesant High School, running and carrying two weapons β€” which turned out to be a paintball gun and a pellet gun β€” he chased after him. He ordered the terrorist to drop his weapons, and when he didn’t, Nash drew his gun and fired, hitting Saipov, 29, in the abdomen.

That ended the ordeal.

The five-year veteran, who lives on Long Island, was taken to the hospital after the shooting and treated for ringing in the ears. He was later released.

City Councilman Joe Borelli called Ryan a hero.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., also praised Ryan, tweeting, “We are also grateful – deeply grateful – to the NYPD & 1st responders, especially Officer Ryan Nash, who was the first on the scene.”

Nash has twice been decorated, winning the NYPD awards for Excellent Police Duty and one for Meritorious Police Duty, ABC News reported.

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill lauded Nash’s quick action in the chaotic scene.

β€œI want to commend the response of our NYPD officer that was on post near the location who stopped the carnage moments after it began,” he told reporters at a press conference Tuesday evening.

Source: The Daily Wire