Fact Check: More than 140 police officers were assaulted during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, with one officer dying hours later and four others dying by suicide in the following weeks and months.

Fact Check: "More than 140 police officers were assaulted during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, with one officer dying hours later and four others dying by suicide in the following weeks and months."

What We Know

During the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, it was reported that at least 174 police officers were assaulted (Wikipedia). The violence resulted in significant injuries among law enforcement, with many officers requiring hospitalization. One officer, Brian Sicknick, died on January 7, 2021, after engaging with the rioters; although the official cause of death was later determined to be natural causes (multiple strokes), the events of the riot were noted to have played a role in his condition (New York Times, Wikipedia).

In the months following the attack, four additional officers from various police departments died by suicide. These officers were Jeffrey Smith, Howard Liebengood, Gunther Hashida, and Kyle DeFreytag. The suicides have been linked to the psychological impact of the riot, although they are not officially classified as line-of-duty deaths under Washington law (New York Times, NPR).

Analysis

The claim that "more than 140 police officers were assaulted" is substantiated by multiple sources, including a comprehensive report from Wikipedia that details the assaults and injuries sustained by law enforcement during the riot (Wikipedia). The figure of 174 officers assaulted is corroborated by the bipartisan Senate report, which also connects the deaths of the officers to the events of January 6 (New York Times).

The assertion regarding the suicides of four officers is also supported by credible reports. The suicides occurred in the months following the attack, and while they are not classified as line-of-duty deaths, they have been widely discussed in the context of the mental health repercussions of the riot (NPR, Wikipedia).

The sources used in this analysis are reputable, including major news outlets and Wikipedia, which is generally considered reliable for factual information, especially when corroborated by multiple independent sources.

Conclusion

The claim that more than 140 police officers were assaulted during the January 6 Capitol riot, with one officer dying shortly thereafter and four others dying by suicide in the following months, is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms the number of assaults and the subsequent suicides of the officers involved.

Sources

1. January 6 United States Capitol attack - Wikipedia
2. These Are the People Who Died in Connection With ...
3. Victims of the Jan. 6 capitol riot attack speak out
4. Aftermath of the January 6 United States Capitol attack
5. How Many Died as a Result of Capitol Riot?
6. Biden Makes False Claim About Jan. 6 Capitol Attack
7. The January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol
8. US attorney says untold number of police officers injured ...