Two NYPD bomb-squad detectives with “nerves of steel” were promoted Friday for safely removing an explosive device left behind by accused Chelsea bomber Ahmad Rahami.
Detectives Jason Hallik and Anthony Mason had their ranks upped to detective second-grade at a 10 a.m. promotion ceremony at Police Headquarters.
“What they did on Saturday, the 17th, was absolutely tremendous,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill, who presided over the ceremony, his first since taking over as the city’s top cop. “It was a very dangerous task. I want to congratulate two of these guys on great work.”
Detective Hallik used a robot to remove the cellphone from the pressure-cooker bomb found on West 27nd Street and secure it inside a containment vessel. The same night, a separate explosive device blew up on West 23rd Street, injuring 29 people.
The pressure cooker was brought back to the NYPD firing range at Rodman’s Neck, where Hallik, Mason and the rest of the bomb squad spent 10 tense hours the next day rendering it safe.
“They were able to use a device to open the lid, and it didn’t explode,” said NYPD Counterterrorism Chief James Water.
The diligent work of the detectives, as well as the rest of the bomb squad, “provided the FBI and the evidence collection people a great crime scene that they were able to collect right way,” added Waters.
Waters described the whole squad as officers with “nerves of steel. They’re confident, they’re well-trained, and they’re well-equipped.”
Following his promotion, Hallik described to reporters why he chose to work in such a dangerous unit.
“Every device you take care of saves lives,” said Hallik. “Nothing is more satisfying than that. It’s like a doctor cutting into somebody to save their life, tremendous satisfactions. I guess that’s why I do it.”