Four police officers who responded to the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill died of “suicide,” the Washington DC CBS affiliate reported on Monday night.
DC Metropolitan Police officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead on July 10, the WUSA reported. He joined the department in 2016 and served in the city’s 5th District.
DeFreytag’s death marks four suicides of officers who responded to the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill.
Confirmation of DeFreytag’s death came hours after the department announced that Gunther Hashida, 43, was found dead at his home on Thursday.
Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee III sent a message to the police force notifying personnel of DeFreytag’s death last month, explaining:
“I am writing to share the tragic news that District 5th officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead last night. Difficult news for all of us, and for those who knew him best.”
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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement on Monday after learning of Hashida’s death.
“Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congress community and our own democracy,” Pelosi said, reported the WUSA.
“All Americans are indebted to him for his great courage and patriotism on January 6th and during his selfless service.
“May Officer Hashida’s life be an inspiration to all to protect our country and democracy. And may it be a comfort to Officer Hashida’s family that so many mourn his loss and pray for them in this sad time.”
Smith, a 12-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department, committed suicide in late January. Liebengood, who joined the Capitol Police in 2005, committed suicide three days after the attack.
“When my husband left for work that day, he was the Jeff I knew,” Smith’s widow Erin said in an interview. ”When he came back after experiencing the event, getting slapped on the head, he was a completely different person. I believe if he didn’t go to work that day, he would be here and we wouldn’t have this conversation. ”
CNN reported that Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick suffered strokes and died of natural causes one day after responding to the attack, the Washington DC chief medical examiner determined in April.
Nearly 140 AD and Capitol officers were injured on 6 January.
Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, 35, and Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood, 51, committed suicide days after the attack.
