three Capitol Police Officers Have Died by Suicide For the reason that January 6 Revolt

Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed Monday that police officer Gunther Hashida committed suicide on Thursday. Hashida is the third police officer to be present at the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 riots and to die by suicide.

A police officer who was involved in protecting the Capitol on January 6th committed suicide, authorities confirmed on Monday. He is the third officer who is present during the riot and who killed himself. In this photo, rioters clash with police and security forces as they press barricades to storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6th.
ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP / Getty Images

Hashida, 43, was a week away from his birthday. He was married and had three children. It is unclear how he took his own life.

News of Hashida’s death spread on Twitter and House spokeswoman Nancy Pelosi released a statement Monday afternoon.

DC Metropolitan Police Officer Gunther Hashida, who responded to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, committed suicide, the third police officer to die of suicide after the January 6 attack. He would have turned 44 on Thursday, instead his funeral is Friday pic.twitter.com/Rl59uRrhIT

– Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) August 2, 2021

The first police officer to commit suicide after helping protect the Capitol was U.S. Capitol cop Howard Liebengood. Liebengood, 51, committed suicide three days after the uprising. Although no official cause of death was disclosed, his widow said he was sleep deprived in the days after the riot and killed himself at home after a work shift. A family lawyer also confirmed it was suicide.

“His death is a tragedy that has robbed all of us of a dedicated civil servant,” attorney Barry Pollack said in a statement following Liebengood’s death. “His family has suffered a devastating loss and has asked to be given space for their private grief.”

Former Senator John Kerry paid homage to Liebengood on Twitter after news of his death broke. Kerry said the officer was guarding the door near his office. The former presidential candidate wrote: “Howie always had a smile on his face, but he was also very concerned about the safety of the young people who worked behind our office doors.”

The second officer who committed suicide was MPD Officer Jeffrey Smith. During the attacks, Smith was hit by a metal rod that was thrown by rioters and hit his helmet and face shield. He was given brief medical leave but was called back to work, although his wife later said he was in significant physical and emotional pain.

Smith, 35, shot himself in the head on January 15 on his way to work.

The widows of Liebengood and Smith both tried to describe their husband’s death as official.
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died the day after campaigning to protect the Capitol. During the uprising, rioters sprayed him with pepper spray, which is believed to have accelerated two thromboembolic strokes on January 7th. He was briefly life sustaining before he died.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help Hashida’s family with expenses related to his death.

“On July 29th, 2021 we lost Gunther Hashida, who left a loving wife, sister, 3 children and a wonderful family,” read a message on the site. “In his work as a civil servant with the DC Metropolitan Police Department, he has been committed to the service and protection of the public. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. This fund will help his memorial and his family lose his love to support.” and instructions. “

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made the following statement regarding Officer Hashida’s death:

“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Gunther Hashida, officer of the Metropolitan Police Department.

“Officer Hashida was a hero who risked his life to save our Capitol, the congressional community, and our democracy. All Americans are indebted to him for his great bravery and patriotism on January 6th and during his selfless service.

“May the life of Officer Hashida be an inspiration to everyone to protect our country and our democracy. And may it be a comfort to Officer Hashida’s family that so many mourn their loss and pray for them at this sad time.”

Update 08/02/21 5:15 p.m. EDT: This story has been updated to include a statement from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.