Second policeman dies by suicide after attack on Capitol Hill



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A second policeman who responded to the attack on the Capitol with a violent crowd on Jan.6 died by suicide, according to the acting head of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

Acting MPD chief Robert Contee identified the officer as Jeffrey Smith, who he said was injured while trying to help contain the former crowd. President TrumpDonald Trump Blinken Holds First Calls As Biden Secretary Of State Senators Discuss Trump Dobbs Censorship Resolution: Republicans Lose In 2020 Because They ‘Forgot Who The Real Leader’ MORESupporters of Congress are trying to prevent Congress from certifying President Biden’s electoral victory.

“It was a very sad and tragic situation for us,” Contee said at a press conference on Wednesday. “He had been injured as a result of the confrontation that had taken place at the Capitol and a few days later, the officer, he committed suicide.”

Contee said Smith was apparently on his way to work on the George Washington Parkway when he committed suicide. US park police have been investigating Smith’s death since it occurred in his jurisdiction.

“Obviously, once again, our condolences go out to the Smith family, to all of his family, on such a tragic loss,” Contee said.

At least two other police officers also died following the attack on the Capitol. Howard Liebengood, a Capitol Police officer, also died by suicide after serving on Capitol Hill duty on January 6. Another Capitol policeman, Brian Sicknick, died in a hospital a day after the riot after being hit in the head by a fire extinguisher.

Contee said in testimony to the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, in which he also revealed Smith’s death, that at least 65 MPD officers had filed reports after being injured while responding to the ‘attack. He noted that “many more” officers had been injured by scratches, bruises or burnt eyes from bear spray, but they did not submit reports to document their injuries.

Capitol Police Officers Union president Gus Papathanasiou said on Wednesday that around 140 police officers in total between Capitol Police and the MPD were injured. He noted that a number of Capitol Hill police officers were seriously injured.

“I have officers who did not have helmets before the attack and who suffered brain damage. One officer has two cracked ribs and two broken spinal discs. One officer will lose his eye and another has been stabbed with a metal fence post, “Papathanasiou said.

The confession came after Acting Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman testified before the House Appropriations Committee and apologized for the ministry not properly preparing for the attack , when he knew days in advance that armed militias and white supremacists posed a threat. Pittman assumed his current role following the resignation of former Capitol Building Police Chief Steven Sund following the January 6 riot.

“We knew there was a great potential for violence and that Congress was the target,” Pittman said. “The ministry has prepared for these challenges, but we haven’t done enough.”

Papathanasiou called the failure of the Capitol Police to prepare for violence and to inform base officers “unacceptable” and “inexcusable”.

“The officers are angry and I don’t blame them. The entire management team has let us down and they must be held accountable. Their inaction has cost lives, ”said Papathanasiou.

Pittman acknowledged in his testimony that many Capitol Police officers suffer trauma after working on the front lines against the violent mob and the loss of their colleagues.

Overall, Contee estimated that around 850 MPD agents were on Capitol Hill on January 6, and 250 more were in the area to support the response.

“While the police are here, you know, they’re really in a state of constant trauma and tragedy since the unrest began in early summer,” Contee said. “The health and well-being, the mental well-being of our officers is definitely important and certainly something that I’m working on to make sure we can give them the support they need to get through the things that they need to be successful. in light of all the traumas they have seen and experienced. “

Four other people died in the January 6 attack: a member of the crowd who was shot dead by a Capitol Police officer as he tried to enter the House bedroom and three others who died of medical emergencies.



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