Former Capitol Police Officer's Claims About January 6 Riot Under Scrutiny

During a speech at the Democratic National Convention, former Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell asserted that “five officers” died as a direct result of the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Gonell, who described his harrowing experience during the insurrection, emphasized the sacrifices made by law enforcement on that day, stating, “Before I begin, I need to acknowledge the sacrifices that five officers... made on that day.” His remarks aimed to highlight the dangers faced by officers protecting the Capitol. However, Gonell's claim has been deemed mostly false. A medical examiner later confirmed that Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died following the riot, succumbed to natural causes—specifically, two strokes caused by a clot. This finding contradicts the implication that his death was a direct consequence of the riot itself. Additionally, it has been reported that four officers from the Capitol Police and Washington Metropolitan Police died by suicide in the weeks following the events of January 6. These tragic losses have raised concerns about the mental health impacts of the riot on law enforcement personnel. In November 2022, the Department of Justice recognized the suicide of Officer Howard Liebengood as eligible for line-of-duty benefits, further emphasizing the ongoing repercussions of that day. Gonell's statements reflect the emotional toll and complexities surrounding the aftermath of the Capitol riot, but the factual inaccuracies regarding officer fatalities have sparked debate and scrutiny.