NEW YORK -- The incident involving a man who used a machete to attack NYPD officers on New Year's Eve in 2022 near Times Square has resulted in a 27-year prison sentence as of Thursday.
Trevor Bickford, hailing from Wells, Maine, entered a guilty plea to federal terrorism charges, which included the attempted murder of the officers, earlier this year.
Bickford carried out the attack on Officers Louis Iorio, Paul Cozzolino, and Mickel Hanna at 52nd Street and Eighth Avenue around 10 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2022. One officer sustained a fractured skull, another received treatment for a cut, and the third shot Bickford in the shoulder.
Bickford's FBI Watchlist Status
According to investigators, Bickford, aged 19 at the time, had journeyed from Maine to New York City to execute the attack in the name of jihad.
Bickford had been added to a no-fly watchlist earlier in that month after his aunt alerted authorities about his online radicalization and desire to travel abroad to join Islamic extremists.
He later admitted to a judge that "I attempted to kill three officers with a knife," and expressed remorse by saying, "I know what I did was wrong, and I am sorry."
For each count, he faced a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Officer's 1st day on the job
Officer Paul Cozzolino's first day on the job was filled with drama and danger.
After graduating from the police academy on Dec. 30, New Year's Eve marked his official shift.
While on patrol with Officer Iorio before the ball drop in Times Square, they were unexpectedly attacked.
"Which just goes to show you, if it's not your first day, it could be your last day," Mayor Eric Adams remarked. "The actions that police officers must take every day are life-threatening situations."
The attack took place just outside the NYPD's security zone for the New Year's Eve celebration.
