Death of Howard Liebengood

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2021 United States
Capitol attack
2021 storming of the United States Capitol 09 (cropped).jpg
Protesters gathered outside the Capitol on January 6, 2021
Timeline of events
Background
2020 presidential election
and other causes
Related groups and persons
Participants
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Law enforcement response
Aftermath
Biden inauguration
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Howard Charles Liebengood, a United States Capitol Police officer, died by suicide on January 9, 2021, three days after he participated in the law enforcement response to the storming of the Capitol.[1] He was the first of what were reported as two police suicides in the immediate aftermath of the attack, though Metropolitan Police (MPD) officer Jeffrey L. Smith's widow disputes the manner of death.[2][3] In the months after the civil disturbance at the Capitol, it was generally reported that the deaths of five people who were present have, to a varying degree, been related to the event. Some members of Congress and press reports included these two in the number of fatalities, for a total of seven.[4]

Prior to his death by suicide, Liebengood, 51, worked three 24-hour shifts without sleep.[5][6] Liebengood was survived by his wife Serena, and his two siblings. Liebengood's father was well known to many U.S. Senators, due to his service as the United States Senate Sergeant at Arms.

On August 5, 2021, Howard Liebengood, along with Capitol Police officers Brian Sicknick and Billy Evans, and Metropolitan Police officer Jeffrey L. Smith, was posthumously honored in a signing ceremony for a bill to award Congressional Gold Medals to Capitol Police and other January 6 responders. His name is noted in the text of the bill, and President Biden remarked on his death.[7][8] On May 14, 2021, the US Capitol Police named their new counseling center after Liebengood.[9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Capitol Police officer who was on duty during the riot has died by suicide, his family says". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  2. ^ Dewan, Shaila (July 30, 2021). "He Killed Himself After the Jan. 6 Riot. Did He Die in the Line of Duty?". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  3. ^ "Two officers who helped fight the Capitol mob died by suicide. Many more are hurting". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  4. ^ Multiple sources:
  5. ^ "U.S. Capitol Police "must be held accountable" says wife of officer who died by suicide". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. ^ "Off-duty Death of USCP Officer Howard Liebengood". United States Capitol Police. January 9, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Pelosi, Nancy (August 5, 2021). "H.R.3325 - 117th Congress (2021-2022): To award four congressional gold medals to the United States Capitol Police and those who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021". www.congress.gov. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  8. ^ President Biden Delivers Remarks and Signs H.R. 3325, retrieved August 7, 2021
  9. ^ "Wexton Secures Increase in Mental Health and Wellness Funding for the United States Capitol Police in Security Supplemental". U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton. May 14, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
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