A bipartisan effort is underway in the Senate to commemorate a Capitol Police officer who displayed remarkable courage fending off rioters and protecting the lives of congress members during the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, WPTA News reported.
Over 30 senators from both parties have introduced legislation that would award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman with the Congressional Gold Medal for his “heroic actions” during the siege, according to WPTA.
Video footage from inside the Capitol on Jan. 6 shows Officer Goodman stalling an angry mob and luring them away from the Senate chambers. The (mostly white) mob is armed with weapons and Confederate flags, the video reveals. Despite the hostile confrontation, Officer Goodman remarkably manages to hold back the rioters without reinforcement.
For his bravery, Officer Goodman was promoted to acting Deputy House Sergeant at Arms, according to WPTA. He was also handpicked for the highly coveted role of escorting Vice President Kamala Harris at the inauguration, WPTA reported. (RELATED: Three Rioters Face Charges Related To Conspiracy At The Capitol Riot)
Legislators want to honor him further, according to WPTA.
“January 6th was a day that will not be forgotten. U.S. Capitol Police officers, including Officer Goodman, stepped up to protect the Capitol building and the lives within it. Officer Goodman acted quickly to divert the mob away from the Senate Chamber where Senators were still conducting business. His bravery on that day deserves recognition, and this Congressional Gold Medal will ensure his heroic actions are honored,” Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) noted in a post to his Twitter account.
On January 6, Officer Eugene Goodman stepped up to protect the Capitol building and the lives within it. His bravery on that day deserves recognition. That’s why I helped introduce a bill to award Office Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal. https://t.co/8FIAp4PISu
— Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) January 26, 2021
Goodman is also an Iraq combat veteran and member of the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman is rightfully being hailed as a hero after singlehandedly holding back rioters from entering the Senate chambers last week.
An Iraq combat vet and member of this Corps, Eugene was a hero long before last Wednesday.
We celebrate his valor. pic.twitter.com/CLWlLG3bIW
— XVIII Airborne Corps (@18airbornecorps) January 14, 2021