Metro

‘Lord protected’ Times Sq. hero

The Big Apple’s newest hero has one proud papa.

“We certainly feel he is a hero. He acted above and beyond the call of duty,” Sgt. Christopher Newsom’s dad, Todd, told The Post after his son saved the day by stopping a wild gunman in Times Square who opened fire in the middle of a crowd of tourists.

Raymond “Ready” Martinez was only able to squeeze off two errant shots before his gun jammed, giving the courageous cop time to bring the gunman down.

“We feel that God’s protection was upon him. If that gun didn’t jam, I hate to think what would have happened,” Todd Newsom said. “I am very thankful the Lord protected him. The perp had 29 bullets.”

Sgt. Newsom, 41, who had never before fired his gun in the line of duty said he was thankful, but otherwise was reluctant about accepting the title of hero.

“I’m doing good. I’m just going through department procedure and I want to get back to work,” the father of four said.

Todd Newsom, 61, said: “He’s always been very bold and very proactive in his career. He did the right thing in the face of adversity and that takes a lot of courage.”

lorena.mongelli@nypost.com