Two years ago on January 6, thousands of rioters stormed the Capitol Building in Washington DC following the defeat of Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. As people around the country look back at what unfolded, many want to know: How many police officers died due to the events on Jan 6, 2021?
At a White House event on January 6, 2023, President Joe Biden said during the riots “our democracy was attacked” and “nearly all of it was fuelled by lies about the 2020 election.”
Around 140 law enforcement officers reported injuries suffered during the attack, and five lost their lives due to the riots.
How many police officers died due to the Jan 6 riots?
Five police officers died due to the January 6 riots, according to the New York Times and CNBC.
Brian D. Sicknick of the Capitol Police died on January 7.
Jeffrey Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department died by suicide after the riots.
Howard S Liebengood of the Capitol Police died by suicide four days after the riots.
Gunther Hashida of the Metropolitan Police Department died by suicide in July 2021
Kyle DeFreytag of the Metropolitan Police Department died by suicide in July 2021.
A look into the officer deaths following the Capitol riots
A bipartisan Senate report released in June said Sicknick, Smith, and Liebengood “lost their lives following the attack.”
However, the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found that Officer Sicknick died of natural causes.
The United States Capitol Police said: “The USCP accepts the findings from the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that Officer Brian Sicknick died of natural causes. This does not change the fact Officer Sicknick died in the line of duty, courageously defending Congress and the Capitol.”
The police agencies have not classified the four suicides as “line of duty” deaths.
How many people died in total at the Capitol riots?
Four people died in the crowd during the Capitol riots on January 6 2021.
Ashli Babbitt was fatally shot by a Capitol Police officer.
Kevin D Greeson died of a heart attack on Capitol grounds.
Rosanne Boyland appeared to have been crushed in a stampede.
Benjamin Philips died of a stroke.
Biden awards medals on anniversary of Capitol riots
On January 6, 2023, President Joe Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to more than a dozen individuals honored for their bravery during the riots.
Those who received the award included officers who were injured defending the Capitol, officers who died by suicide after the riots, and election workers who refused to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Biden said of those honored: “History will remember your names. They’ll remember your courage. They’ll remember your bravery.”
The US president added: “They’ll remember your extraordinary commitment to your fellow Americans.”
If you are affected by any issues raised in the article or would like someone to speak to, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. You can also email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch in the UK. In the US, please visit Samaritans USA for more information.
You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line. Americans can now call or text 988 to reach out and speak to a counsellor.
In other news, Can you buy Robert Kraft's blue pin? Stand Up To Jewish Hate campaign launches