Videos Make Eugene Goodman an Unwilling Hero in the Capitol Attack

WASHINGTON – Among the disturbing images presented during the indictment of former President Donald J. Trump, one video stood out: a police officer who jumped on a U.S. senator to warn about the angry mob nearby.

Senator Mitt Romney is shown turning on his heels and fleeing for safety.

“I do not think my family or my wife understood that I was so close to the real danger,” he said. Romney told reporters Thursday, a day after Eugene Goodman, a Capitol police officer, was already known. for his bravery, which helps him. “They were amazed and very, very much appreciated Officer Goodman for being there and bringing me back to safety.”

For Officer Goodman, this was the second time a video has gone viral showing actions commonly recognized as rescuing members of Congress. The first, which shows how he lures a mob from the entrance of the Senate in the direction of an area of ​​reinforcement, turned him into a hero. The second has contributed to its history.

Both served as Officer Goodman – a former army infantryman who served in one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq during one of the deadliest times of the war – to fame he never sought.

Wednesday, after watching the videos showing Officer Goodman Mr. Romney leads in safety, Mr. Romney is seen talking to Officer Goodman. Senator Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, later attacked and punched Officer Goodman.

On Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi singled out Officer Goodman for his courage in enacting legislation to award the Capitol Police and other law enforcers who responded on Jan. 6 with the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor of Congress. On January 20, Officer Goodman was given the task of accompanying Vice President Kamala Harris during the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Veterans who served with Officer Goodman in the 101st Air Division in Iraq about 15 years ago say that the officer, who was called ‘Goody’ at the time, never longed for honors.

“I saw him come out in front of the vice president and he immediately went down to the right,” said Mark Belda, who served with Officer Goodman in Iraq. “I thought it was definitely Goody.”

When he watched the first video closely, Mr. Belda said he sees traits he recognized in Officer Goodman from Iraq. “He was not prone to anger. As an infantryman, it’s you to be violent, but it was never his first reaction to use the stick before using the root. ”

In Iraq, Officer Goodman was a sergeant and leader of a rifle group of ten men who accepted new responsibilities shortly after his unit arrived in 2005.

His ‘Hardrock Company’ was in the Sunni Triangle near Baghdad in central Iraq, where US troops were involved in the fiercest fighting of the war.

According to Lieutenant-Colonel Jeff Farmer, who served with Officer Goodman in the company, the platoon had to conduct several combat patrols each day to identify explosives before they exploded.

“The leader of the leading group was critical, someone who was willing to take this risk and lead his team day in and day out,” said Colonel Farmer.

The leader was Officer Goodman.

‘I can not remember exactly how many descended patrols Goody led as an important man in the company, but I can say that it was probably in the hundreds, who told him honestly if others needed the assurance that things were going to be OK. , ”Said Colonel Farmer.

Officer Goodman was a quiet professional, his superior said, serious and focused on his missions, but also quick with a joke to relieve tension in the ranks, they said. His fellow soldiers could count on him doing “what needed to be done,” said John Greis, who served as his platoon sergeant in Iraq. “It’s cool under pressure.”

Colonel Farmer said he was not surprised when he saw the video of Officer Goodman facing the angry mob in the Capitol.

“Quiet, cool and gathered under fire, it’s just Goody,” said Colonel Farmer. “I trusted my life with him and will continue to do so to this day.”

Officer Goodman is now in an awkward area, according to his fellow veterans. He did not comment publicly and did not return multiple requests for interviews, including a handwritten note in his apartment near District Heights, Md.

According to a neighbor, Officer Goodman did not return to his apartment in the days after the attack on the Capitol, advising those in his apartment building not to speak to the news media.

“He does not want to be the center of attention. “He just wants to dive to the side and everyone can do what you want to do,” he said. Belda, mr. Goodman, the first sergeant, said. “Let me do my work, and you do what you want, just leave me alone.”

Charles H. Ramsey, who led police departments in Washington and Philadelphia, said the actions of Officer Goodman and others who responded to the January 6 violence were even more impressive because “they were put in a terrible position” by senior officials who failed. to respond to intelligence indicating that violent groups were planning to gather in Washington.

“And yet they responded in a very heroic way. They made the most of it. “Without them, it would have been an incredible tragedy,” he said. Ramsey said. “If Mitt Romney had continued in the corridor and encountered the rioters or the rioters, there is no doubt in my mind that he would probably be taken.”

But he also said the newfound fame could be an embarrassment to a police officer who never wished for it.

“He gets a lot of attention and deserves it, but he also knows that he was not the only person there,” said Mr. Ramsey said. “He’s a hero, there’s no doubt about it. But I think it’s also uncomfortable to be in that position. ”

When Mr. Belda sees the footage of Officer Goodman facing the crowd at the Capitol, reminding him of the feeling he had when he was in the minority fighting outside a helicopter that had just been shot down in Mogadishu, Somalia during the 1993 battle. as Black Hawk Down.

“I know the feeling when you feel that you are in the minority and that you do not know what will happen next,” he said. Belda said. “But you have to do your job.” Only a few hours after the attack on the Capitol, Mr. Belda issued to Officer Goodman, but he kept it short. He thought he must have been overwhelmed.

“I just sent him a message saying, ‘Dude, I know you do not want to talk about it,'” he said. Belda said. “But I’m proud of you.” Officer Goodman responded by saying he was grateful for the message.

Mr. Belda said he was looking forward to telling it in person soon.

Emily Cochrane reported.