Dear Senator Van Hollen,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for your bill S. 35, which would award a Congressional Gold Medal to United States Capitol Police (USCP) Officer and FOP member Eugene Goodman in recognition of his heroic actions on 6 January 2021.
The events we watched unfold at the U.S. Capitol Building on 6 January were heartbreaking. When the American way of life was threatened, the men and women of law enforcement—particularly the USCP and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department—remained undaunted. During this dark day in our nation’s history, we were reminded once again that without the protection afforded to us by the brave men and women in blue, our society cannot function.
As riotous individuals breached the U.S. Capitol Building, USCP Officer Eugene Goodman found himself facing down a violent mob singlehandedly. As the mob made its way through the Capitol Building, Officer Goodman diverted the crowd away from the Senate Chamber in hopes of allowing those in the Chamber to escape. With the crowd just a short distance from the Chamber doors, Officer Goodman pushed the lead individual in the crowd and then retreated up the stairs, drawing the attention of the mob and leading them away.
One media report described the actions of Officer Goodman as heroic, by saying the following: “In short, he tricked them, willingly becoming the rabbit to their wolf pack, pulling them away from the chambers where armed officers were waiting, avoiding tragedy and saving lives. Lives which include their own.”
On behalf of the more than 356,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, we want to thank you for honoring the heroic actions of Officer Eugene Goodman. The men and women of the FOP are extremely proud to call Eugene Goodman one of our brothers. If I can be of any help, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President