A third police officer who responded to the violent insurrection that rocked the Capitol Building on Jan. 6 has died, Politico reported Wednesday.
D.C. Police officer Jeffrey Smith died by suicide, acting Metropolitan Police Chief Robert Contee told House appropriators during a closed-door session on Tuesday, according to Politico.
Smith became the second police officer to take his own life in the aftermath of the violent attack. As Daily Boulder reported earlier this month, Capitol Police Officer Howard Liebengood also took his own life following the battle. Smith’s death had not been disclosed prior to Contee’s testimony.
A third member of law enforcement, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, died from injuries he sustained during the Capitol attack.
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“We honor the service and sacrifices of Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood, and Jeffery Smith, and offer condolences to all the grieving families,” Contee said in his testimony.
The report of an additional officer’s death in connection with the Capitol Hill siege comes as many members and staff are still reeling in the three weeks since the insurrection.
Seven people are now dead as a result of the riots — a death toll that has horrified lawmakers of both parties and led them to demand answers from Capitol security officials.
Contee also told lawmakers that about 850 MPD officers responded to the riot and 65 members sustained documented injuries.
“Many more sustained injuries from the assault — scratches, bruises, eyes burning from bear mace — that they did not even bother to report,” he said.
MPD’s estimate for the response totals about $8.8 million, he said.
“The costs for this insurrection — both human and monetary — will be steep,” Contee said. “The immediate fiscal impact is still being calculated,” he added, according to Politico.
