An NYPD officer who shot Delrawn Small during what has been described as a road rage incident took the stand Wednesday. Wayne Isaacs told the jury he feared for his life. NY1's Gene Apodaca was in court and filed the following report.

Wayne Isaacs appeared confident as he testified Wednesday, claiming he acted in self-defense when he pulled his Glock handgun and shot 37-year-old Delrawn Small, killing him.

It was the result of a confrontation that he said began when Small ran up to his car in a rage.

"I'm going to [expletive] kill you," Isaacs testified Small yelled at him.

"It's Mr. Small who chose to turn this into a violent confrontation — that's what has to be remembered here," said defense attorney Stephen Worth.

The incident unfolded July 4, 2016 as Isaacs was driving along Atlantic Avenue after work to a barbeque.

According to prosecution witnesses, the off-duty officer cut off Small's car.

But Isaacs told jurors that was not what happened. "I was driving with the flow of traffic," Isaacs said.

He said he had stopped at a light when Small approached him on foot.

Testifying that he feared violence, Isaacs recalled un-holstering his gun. He said he fired three shots, but only after Small struck him in the face through the driver's window.

"I thought I was going to lose my life at that point," Isaacs said. "That's the only reason: I had to stop the threat from losing my life."

But surveillance video shows that Small was immediately shot as he approached the car.

The video was not played during Isaacs's testimony.

During cross-examination, the prosecutor made the jury aware of what Isaacs could have done instead of shooting, such as rolling up his window or shouting "Police. Don't move."

Asked why he simply didn't drive off, Isaacs said, "That would not have been a good decision."

Isaacs also was grilled about failing to mention Small when he called 911.

Prosecutor: You never told her there was a dying man on the scene?    

Isaacs: No.

Small's brother, Victor Dempsey, said the testimony was hard to watch.

"Today was probably the worst day of this trial, listening to this man and watch him on that stand and lie and cover up what he did," said Dempsey.

Both sides are due back in court Thursday, when final witnesses will be heard. Following that, closing arguments are expected.