A second officer who responded to the attack on the Capitol on January 6, has died by suicide, according to the acting Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) chief, marking the third law enforcement death in the aftermath of the pro-Trump riot.
Acting MPD Chief Robert Contee identified the officer as Jeffrey Smith, who was injured while trying to help contain the mob of Trump's supporters who attempted to stop Congress from certifying President Biden's electoral victory.
"That was a very sad and tragic situation for us. He had been injured as a result of the confrontation that had occurred at the Capitol and a couple of days after that, the officer, he took his life," Contee said during a press conference on Wednesday.
Contee stated that Smith was apparently on his way to work on the George Washington Parkway when he took his own life. The U.S. Park Police is handling the investigation of Smith's death since it occurred in its jurisdiction.
In a closed-door session Tuesday with the House Appropriations Committee, Contee said that at least two other police officers have also died in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol.
Howard Liebengood, a Capitol Police officer, also died by suicide after being on duty at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and Capitol Police officer, Brian Sicknick, died at a hospital one day after the riot after he was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher.
He added that at least 65 MPD officers filed reports after they were injured while responding to the attack. He noted that "many more" officers were injured with scratches, bruises, or eyes burning from the bear spray but did not submit reports to document their injuries.
Four other people died as a result of the Jan. 6 attack: A member of the mob who was shot by a Capitol Police officer while attempting to breach the House chamber and three others who died of medical emergencies.
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