Eugene Goodman, the Capitol policeman who led violent rioters away from lawmakers during the Jan. 6 attack, has received the Congressional Gold Medal from the United States Senate.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer called the vote at the end of Friday’s impeachment proceedings, noting that Goodman was “ foresight in the midst of chaos and his willingness to make himself a target of the mob’s anger, ” so that others could get to safety ‘.
The Senate voted to award Goodman the medal – the highest honor Congress can bestow – by unanimous agreement, meaning there were no objections. The medal is traditionally used to honor military officers for distinguished service.
Goodman was in the Senate room while Schumer spoke, and the entire Senate got up and turned to him and gave him a standing ovation. He put his hand on his heart.
Goodman, who was promoted to deputy deputy sergeant-at-arms for the Senate after his performance during the uprising at the Capitol, has been a big part of the impeachment trial in the chamber. As an armed mob of Trump supporters attacked the Capitol and threatened lawmakers including Mike Pence, the former vice president, Goodman, was intercepted, rioters addressed and led away from the Senate Chamber.
New videos aired as part of House Democrats’ argument that former President Donald Trump instigated the uprising also showed Goodman bringing Republican Senator Mitt Romney to safety while unknowingly heading to a location where the crowd had gathered.
“I was lucky that Officer Goodman was there to get me in the right direction,” Romney told reporters on Wednesday. He said he was unaware of it until he saw the footage that Goodman might have saved his life.
A decorated Army veteran 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 fully deserves the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress, and I am pleased that the Senate has acted swiftly in accordance with our legislation to recognize the quick thinking and courage of this great Marylander with a Gold Medal from Congress. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland said in a statement. “I urge my colleagues in the Chamber to follow up quickly.”
House leader Nancy Pelosi this week introduced plans to honor the officer.