A third Washington, D.C. police officer who responded to the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 has taken his own life on Thursday, July 29, Washington DC’s Metropolitan police department confirmed on Monday.
Officer Gunther Hashida, assigned to the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Division, was found deceased in his residence on 29 July, the department said.
According to a statement, the Metropolitan Police Department said “Officer Gunther Hashida, assigned to the Emergency Response Team within the Special Operations Division, was found deceased in his residence on Thursday, July 29,”. “Officer Hashida joined MPD in May 2003. We are grieving as a Department as our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashida’s family and friends.”
Officer Hashida becomes the third cop to ‘suicide’ after capitol violence on January 6. U.S. Capitol Police officer Howard Liebengood took his life three days after the riot. Days later, MPD officer Jeffrey Smith killed himself.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi posted a condolence message on Twitter on behalf of the House of Representatives.
“Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congressional community and our very Democracy,” Pelosi said. “All Americans are indebted to him for his great valor and patriotism on January 6th and throughout his selfless service.”
In a Facebook post on Monday, Romelia Hashida shared a photo of herself with her late husband.
“A thousand words couldn’t bring you back… I know this because I tried, neither could a thousand tears… I know this because I cried, you left behind a broken heart and happy memories too… but I never wanted memories… I only wanted you,” the caption read.
He is survived by a wife, three children, and a sister, according to a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $64,000 toward his memorial as of Monday afternoon.
“In his work as an officer with the DC Metropolitan Police Department, he worked to serve and protect the public,” organizers wrote of Hashida on the fundraising page. “He was a devoted and loving husband and father.”
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