Eugene Goodman, the Capitol police officer who diverted violent riots from lawmakers during the Jan. 6 attack, received the U.S. Senate Gold Medal.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer summoned the vote at the end of Friday’s indictment, noting Goodman’s “foresight in the midst of chaos, and his willingness to make himself a target of the mob’s anger so that others can come to safety “.
The Senate voted to award Goodman the medal – the highest honor Congress can bestow – with unanimous consent, meaning there were no objections. The medal is traditionally used to honor military officers for honors.
Goodman was in the Senate chamber while Schumer was speaking, and the entire Senate stood and turned to him, giving him a standing ovation. He puts his hand on his heart.
Goodman, who was promoted to acting deputy sergeant for the Senate after his actions during the riot in the Capitol, was for much of the indictment process. As an armed crowd of Trump supporters fend off the Capitol, lawmakers, including former Vice President Mike Pence, threaten Goodman and intercept riots and lead them away from the Senate.
In new videos aired as part of House Democrats’ argument that former President Donald Trump incited the uprising, Goodman was also shown what led Republican Senator Mitt Romney to safety while unknowingly heading to a place where the crowd came together.
“I was very happy that Officer Goodman was there to get me in the right direction,” Romney told reporters on Wednesday. He said he was not aware of it until he saw the footage that Goodman may have saved his life.
A decorated veteran of the Army who served from 2002 to 2006, Goodman, 40, is from Maryland. Last month, he accompanied Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Douglas Emhoff, to the inauguration ceremony.
“He deserves the highest civil honor bestowed on Congress, and I’m glad the Senate acted swiftly on our legislation to recognize the quick thinking and bravery of this great Marylander with a gold medal from Congress,” Chris Van Hollen, senator in Maryland, said in a statement. “I call on my colleagues in the House to quickly follow suit.”
House leader Nancy Pelosi this week unveiled plans to honor the officer.