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A third police officer who responded to the Jan.6 attack on the United States Capitol has died by suicide, the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed on Monday.
Gunther Hashida was found dead at his home on Thursday, according to an emailed statement from the department.
An MPD spokesperson confirmed to The Hill that Hashida had committed suicide.
“We are in mourning as a department as our hearts and prayers are with the family and friends of Agent Hashida,” the department wrote in the statement.
Hashida was assigned to the emergency response team within the special operations division, according to the department.
Hashida died two days after the select committee investigating the Jan.6 attack held its first hearing, in which four police officers gave poignant testimony about their experiences defending the Capitol amid the riots.
Police officers testified about the trauma they suffered as a result of the riots.
“For most people, January 6 went on for a few hours, but for those of us who were at the heart of the story, it’s not over yet. That day continues to be a constant trauma for us literally every day, whether it is from our physical or emotional injuries or both, “said Capitol Police Sgt. said Aquilino Gonell.
Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said he was undergoing private counseling therapy for the “lingering emotional trauma” he had faced since that day.
DC Police Officer Michael Fanone told the committee he was “left with the psychological trauma and emotional anxiety of having survived such a horrific event, and my children continue to deal with the trauma of almost losing their father that day “.
In a statement on Monday, the President Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiManchin on boos reported at Democratic lunch: “I’ve heard a lot of no’s” Kinzinger backs Jan. 6 subpoenas for Republicans including McCarthy Ocasio-Cortez: Democrats can’t blame GOP for ending of the moratorium on deportations PLUS (D-Calif.) Called Hashida a hero.
“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Metropolitan Police Department Officer Gunther Hashida. Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the congressional community, and our democracy itself. All Americans are indebted to him for his great worth and his patriotism on January 6 and throughout his selfless service, ”Pelosi wrote.
“May the life of Officer Hashida be an inspiration to all to protect our country and democracy. And may it be a comfort to Officer Hashida’s family that so many people mourn their loss and pray for them at this sad time, ”she added.
Hashida is the third police officer who served on Capitol Hill on January 6 to kill himself.
US Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood and MPD Officer Jeffrey Smith both committed suicide in the days following the January incident.
Dunn, during the House Select Committee hearing last week, directly discussed the emotional toll of the Jan.6 attack on officers, urging his colleagues to seek professional help if needed.
“I know that so many other officers continue to suffer, both physically and emotionally. I want to take this moment to talk to my fellow officers about the emotions they continue to feel following the events of January 6. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional advice. What we went through that day was traumatic, and if you are in pain, please take advantage of the counseling services that are available to us, ”said Dunn.
He also asked the panel to look at the resources available to agents and determine if they are “sufficient enough to meet our needs.”
“I also respectfully ask this select committee to examine the available resources, the services offered to us and to determine whether they are sufficient to meet our needs, in particular with regard to the number of leaves granted to us” , did he declare.
Updated at 5:11 p.m.
People with suicidal thoughts or cravings can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
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