Police Officer Eugene Goodman saved lives of several Senators and members of Congress a with his actions during the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol by a violent mob. On Friday, February 12, 2021, US senators recognized Police Officer Eugene Goodman's courage, gave him a standing ovation for risking his own life to save theirs on January 6, and unanimously voted to award him a Congressional Gold Medal, the institution's highest civilian honor.
What Did Police Officer Eugene Goodman Do on January 6, 2021?
Putting his life on line, Police Officer Eugene Goodman directed the members of the US Senate away from the mob. He received more praise Wednesday after new video showed him directing Sen. Mitt Romney, Republican-Utah, away from the mob. The mob was attacking the US Capitol over the results of US Elections (see AfroAmerica Network: Georgia US Senate Runoff Election: Jon Ossoff, Rev Raphael Warnock, and Stacey Abrams Make History).
Eugene Goodman, who is Black, could be seen in videos taken on Jan 6, 2020, making all the efforts to lead the mob, including some holding Confederate flags, away from the Senate chamber. In another video, from a US Capitol security camera, US Senator Mitt Romney was unaware of the dangers when, as he was in a Senate hallway, he was walking in the direction of the mob. The video then shows Police Officer Eugene Goodman entering the frame and quickly gesturing to Sen. Mitt Romney to move in the opposite direction, away from the mob. The video was played by House managers in the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
Speaking to media reporters, US Senator Romney acknowledged that he was not aware of the danger when he was in the US Senate hallway and that close to the violent mobs. He also said that he did not know the police officer who guided him away from the dangers.
"I look forward to thanking him when I next see him... I was very fortunate indeed that Officer Goodman was there to get me in the right direction," US Senator Romney told the media. US Senator Romney was then seen in the Senate Chamber pointing to Police Officer Goodman apparently telling other senators, including Ron Johnson, Republican-Wisconsin and Rob Portman, Republican-Ohio how he saved his life. The senators seemed pleasantly filled with amazement and some walked to Eugene Goodman to thank him.
On Thursday, February 11, 2021, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., confirmed that she was introducing a legislation to award police officers who defended the Capitol the Congressional Gold Medal. Eric Goodman was one of them.
The attacks on the US Capitol led to several casualties or injuries. According to reports, 140 officers were injured during the attack by the mob. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries due to the attack. In the days following the attack, two other police officers committed suicide.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the media: "It has been such a sad time for us, but as we see what is being presented, we also see the extraordinary valor of the Capitol police, who risked and gave their lives to save our Capitol, our democracy, our lives. They are martyrs for our democracy, those who lost their lives."
Police Officer Eugene Goodman is a U.S. Army Veteran
Eugene Goodman was born in Washington, DC and is an U.S. Army veteran. From 2002 to 2006 he served in the United States Army, including in combat with the 101st Airborne Division in the Iraq War. He is is the acting Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate as of January 20, 2021.
Eugene Goodman was chosen to escort Vice President-elect Kamala Harris during the January 20, 2021 inauguration.
@AfroAmerica Network, 2021
