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Hidden among the horror of insurgents storming the Capitol building on January 6th is a hero police officer. He is credited with steering the invaders away from the Senate Chamber, as reported by Reuters on Jan. 10, 2021.
The news source reached out to the Capitol Police regarding his identity. The USPC has yet to respond. However, CNN reporter Kristin Wilson identified him as Eugene Goodman.
The Black officer redirected the rioters’ direction away from the Senate chamber. In a heroic move, the officer placed himself in the open doorway to block the insurgents. While there, he pokes a man wearing a black t-shirt. Knowing the throng would give chase, Goodman turned away and quickly grabbed a billy club; previously dropped.
He promptly began to run up the incorrect staircase allowing the Senate Police to enter the chamber where Vice-President Mike Pence, Senator/Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, and other Senators awaited. They were swiftly moved into an undisclosed area for their safety.
In the video, posted on Twitter by Huffpost’s political writer Igor Bobic, Goodman is chased up the stairs. In yet another, the officer is seen facing his attackers from a landing with his billy club at ready.
Bobic’s tweet above the video indicates he was safe and hiding in the building. He further wrote:
Here’s the scary moment when protesters initially got into the building from the first floor and made their way outside Senate chamber.
Apparently, the reporter was running back up the stairs that he had just descended — filming the whole time. Bobic also tweeted it was disturbing to see the mob successfully breach the Senate chamber shortly after Goodman redirected them.
On Sunday, U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) posted a message praising Goodman:
As trump’s [sic] fascist mob ransacked the US Capitol, the brave USCP officer kept murderous rioters away from the Senate chamber and saved the lives of those inside. God bless him for his courage.
The siege took five lives including one police officer, Brian Sicknick who died of injuries sustained by repeated blows to his head with a fire extinguisher. Another officer is on sick leave after his head was struck using a door as it was swung multiple times, pinning him against the doorframe. Dozens more were injured.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
Reuters: Police officer hailed for steering Capitol mob from Senate chamber; by Tom Hales
Business Insider: Video shows tense standoff between Capitol Police and pro-Trump rioters trying to enter the Senate chamber; by Jake Lahut
Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Chad Davis’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of TALK MEDIA NEWS PHOTO ARCHIVES’ Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
