Heroic Capitol officer to get Congressional Gold Medal

WASHINGTON – The Senate voted unanimously Friday evening to award Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman a Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress.

Goodman was in the chamber during the announcement, which was made after the question-and-answer portion of the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

He received a standing ovation from the entire body, putting his hand over his heart as senators stood.

Goodman has been lauded since a video showed him leading a pro-Trump mob away from the Senate chamber during the deadly Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, potentially saving lives.

Security footage played during the trial showed Goodman during the breach running down a hallway, where he passed Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. He signaled to Romney and an aide with him to turn around, and Romney then turned and ran to safety.

The Congressional Gold Medal is considered the “highest expression of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions,” according to the House of Representatives, where a similar measure has been introduced and is expected to pass.

In the footage of Jan. 6, where he leads the mob away from the chamber, Goodman pushes the leader of the pack, a man later identified as Doug Jensen of Des Moines, Iowa. Jensen, who was armed with a baton, was focused on Goodman and appeared not to notice the open hallway leading to the Senate chambers.

Jensen chased Goodman, who led him and the mob away from the Senate floor. The mob followed him into a group of police in a back corridor outside the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said “the world has learned about the incredible, incredible bravery of Officer Goodman on that fateful day.”

Goodman’s “courage in the line of duty, his foresight in the midst of chaos, his willingness to make himself a target of the mob rage so that others might reach safety.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that without Goodman’s heroism, “people in this chamber may not have escaped that day unharmed.”

Goodman escorted Vice Presidentelect Kamala Harris at the inauguration on Jan. 20, as the acting deputy Senate sergeant-at-arms.

Senators and staff stand to applaud U.S. Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman, standing in the back of the chamber, on Friday.