Police Hero Who Helped Catch Elizabeth Bombing Terrorist Invited To Congress Session

LINDEN, NJ — Linden Police Officer Angel Padilla, who helped catch alleged terrorist Ahmad Khan Rahimi, is invited to Tuesday’s Joint Session of Congress by Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5).

Padilla was the first law enforcement officer to discover Rahimi in Linden after five explosive devices found near Elizabeth train station.

He is also believed to be responsible for the following incidents: a pipe bomb that exploded in a trash can at a charity 5K run for armed services veterans in Seaside Park and a Chelsea explosion that happened later that day.

After receiving a tip on Sept. 19, 2016 that Rahimi was spotted in Linden, Padilla approached the man and ordered the suspect to show his hands. The suspect pulled a handgun and fired, striking the Padilla — who was wearing a bulletproof vest — in the abdomen area.

“Officer Padilla reminds us that our law enforcement officers not only protect our communities from criminals and local dangers, but they are on the front lines in our fight against terrorism. Our war on terror is a war fought on multiple fronts, and in Congress, I am committed to supporting our first responders and doing whatever I can to stomp out terror and those who would do harm to the United States. It’s difficult to detect and stop homegrown and lone wolf terrorists who were radicalized in their own apartment here in New Jersey; that’s why the sort of community policing practiced by Officer Padilla and others is critical," Congressman Gottheimer said.

“I thank Congressman Gottheimer for his support for law enforcement and for his invitation to the Joint Session of Congress. It will be an honor to attend and represent the New Jersey law enforcement community,” Padilla said.

(Photo provided: Officer Angel Padilla and Congressman Josh Gottheimer stand in front of the Bergen County Law Enforcement Memorial.)

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