4th Capitol Police Officer from Jan 6th Dead by Suicide
In a string of apparent suicides by Police Officers present on the January 6th event, a fourth has been added to the list of those who seemingly killed themselves in the months after the day. Metropolitan Police Officer Kyle DeFreytag was found dead on July 10th, said to have killed himself.
MPD Chief Robert J. Contee III sent a message to the police force last month stating, “I am writing to share tragic news that Officer Kyle DeFreytag of the 5th District was found deceased last evening. This is incredibly hard news for us all, and for those that knew him best.”
The confirmation of death of the officer came only hours after another officer present on January 6th had been reported to have died under the same circumstances. 43 year old Gunther Hashida was found to have committed suicide at about that same time.
Back in late January, reports revealed that Jeffery Smith, a 12 year veteran of the MPD took his life following the breach on January 6th. Days after the January 6th event, the first Capitol Police Officer to die by apparent suicide was Officer Howard Liebengood.
With 4 officers now deceased, said from suicide, some online are raising questions themselves about the cause of death of the officers. Little is known about the specifics surrounding their deaths, so everything otherwise is merely conjecture at this time. It is strange to see so many make this choice after serving the force for such long periods of time, but it is also understandable how pressures, emotional toll and memories of the events of the day may have led the officers to make the choice to end their own lives. Regardless, what is done is done and hopefully there isn’t more to the story than what has been revealed thus far.
On January 6th, more than 100 officers were reportedly injured. 5 people died during the event and in the immediate aftermath of it occurring. At the time, reports were coming out that Officer Brian Sicknick was potentially beaten to death by people at the Capitol, but later was revealed that he had died from natural causes due to strokes, ending the misinformation of speculation. Officer Sicknick died on January 7th.
Trump supporter Ashli Babbitt was shot and killed by an unnamed officer on January 6th. She was one of 4 people to die on the day of January 6th during the event, where 3 others died outside the Capitol building. Two of which were from natural causes as well and the final was determined to be due to a drug overdose.
“is strange to see so many make this choice after serving the force for such long periods of time”
I find it interesting how this site, employing people that have never a day in uniform, speculate on what happens to those that do.
Allow me to tell a quick story and then see if you understand.
I have served 4 yrs in the Navy and have spent 24 yrs in the service on my City as a career firefighter. Through the first 20 yrs I had several traumatic incidents. They were spaced out maybe one or two every yr or so. They shook me up, but my brain had plenty of time to sort through the mental trauma. Then, 3 yrs ago, ii had 4 deaths involving children in the span of 6 months. It was mentally overwhelming. My. brain never had a chance to process and heal. I contemplated suicide. I drank soooo much, part to ease the mental pain and part hoping to drink myself to death. After months of self destructive behavior, I reached out to my department. They kinda blew me off. I reached out to my National Union and they were of no help I sat on the railroad tracks down the street from the original incident, hoping for a train to come by. To no avail. I reached out to my Dr and she was understanding and referred me to a therapist. Unfortunately She specialized in housewife problems and had no idea how to handle me and my issues. After that I hit a deep despair, there was only one way that I could see to stop the pain. Fortunately, a co worker and good friend saw my struggles and knew of someone specializing in helping first responders. Finally I was able to get on the right track. 3 yrs later I still have flashbacks. I think of holding that little boy’s head together with my bare, Ungloved hands as he took his last breath. Some Days that are tougher than others.
22 soldiers a day commit suicide. How dare you question why someone would choose to end their life after such a traumatic event. Especially when so many on the right are openly questioning these officers manhood and toughness. When the message you keep hearing OVER AND OVER AGAIN, is struggling and asking for help some how makes you less of a man, what do you expect to happen?
Why were the Capital police throwing smoke booms at the citizens.
Better booms than BOMBS.
I am so sick of your trolling honestly that’sall you know how to do you come onto this particular website and preach like you know EVEYTHING and all people should just know from your comments you know everything sounds just like the idiot goverment “We know better than you do about how you should run your life” you know what “Ben” FUCK OFF!!
Chad,
What a perfect name for you, the male version of a Karen.
I’m not sure why you have your panties in a bunch. Jacob said he couldn’t figure out why after so many years of service, all of the sudden these men were committing suicide. I explained, through my own experiences why something like this would happen. I have a unique perspective on the subject, having lived it and all. I’m not just a keyboard warrior, I live what I believe.
Chad, I wouldn’t expect you to understand. But I would expect you to listen and try to empathize with these men whose lives the Qualtists ruined.
I guess that’s just too much to expect.
Ben, I am an eighty year old ex “Tin Can” sailor in the late fiftys early sixtys and I feel your hurt. I recieved this this morning and it seems it came to share with you.
ISAIAH 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
PSALM 119:165
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
ISAIAH 26:12
“Lord, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.”
REFLECT:
God promises peace for those who trust in Him and love His Word. Are you unsettled about something? Ask God to give you His perfect peace. You can only find that kind of peace in Him. With God’s peace in your heart, think of how you can extend that peace to those around you. Does your life speak peace or chaos?
Hi Ben, I’m an eighty year old ex “Tin Can” sailor in the fifties and early sixties and I feel your pain. I recieved this in my mail this morning and thought to share it with you:
ISAIAH 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
PSALM 119:165
“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
ISAIAH 26:12
“Lord, You will establish peace for us, for You have also done all our works in us.”
REFLECT:
God promises peace for those who trust in Him and love His Word. Are you unsettled about something? Ask God to give you His perfect peace. You can only find that kind of peace in Him. With God’s peace in your heart, think of how you can extend that peace to those around you. Does your life speak peace or chaos?
Ben I totally hope that you will heal. I’m not doubting your experience. Your political opinions are polar opposite from mine but I’m realizing that hurt and pain comes to all people. None of us are immune to it. I’ve had my heart breaks and also bad experiences and saw three coworkers die on the job. I feel you, but I won’t say that I know how that you feel. It’s different with everyone. Just keep seeking help with counseling and try prayers. Anything can work
DO WE KNOW THESE ARE REALLY SUICIDES? MAYBE SOMEONE WANTS THEM QUIET
SEEMS STRANGE TO ME THAT 4 MEN COMMITTED SUICIDE OVER THE JAN 6 SITUATION. I WONDER IF THERE WAS UNDERLYING INFO THAT THEY HAD THAT THEY THOUGHT MIGHT COME OUT IF THEY HAD TO TESTIFY WITH AN IMPARTIAL PANEL AND NOT A PIGLOSI SET UP PANEL. STILL VERY SAD WHY THIS HAPPENED.
ARE WE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THESE SO CALLED SUICIDES WERE NOT CAREFULLY STAGED TO SILENCE THOSE WHO MAY EXPOSE SOME TRUTHS ABOUT WHAT MAY HAVE REALLY HAPPENED ON JAN 6th? I JUST FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT THAT INDIVIDUALS OF SUCH HIGH CHARACTER WOULD FOLD. I DO NOT TRUST WHAT I AM HEARING.
Why is it so difficult to get the TRUTH from the government. Its obvious why? A full investigation into the election and Jan 6th will reveal why
All are saying it may be be the result of being forced through script too lie in testimony. That really goes against everything a real police officer believes. The testimony of capital police the other day, was so sad. IT WAS SCRIPTED BY THE LEFT, THE EMOTION ,WELL LETS JUST SAY OLIVER STONE COULDNT OF DIRECTED IT ANY BETTER. I DONT DENIGRATE,THE OFFICERS, I DENIGRATE THOSE WHO INSISTED ON THE WORDS.
NIW ITS COMING OUT THAT GOV. AGENCIES WERE INVOLVED. AND THERE WERE ZERO ELECTED OFFICUALS ANYWHERE ON SITE. A CONVENIENT BOMB SCARE HAD THEM GONE, RAISING GLASSES. AND WHAT WOULD WANT TOO RAPE AOC,HER MOUTH IS TOO BIG
Delores,
Yet another new low for the Punching Bag “news”.
Talking about raping an elected official on this site. I’d like to think you’re a one off crazy, but there’s definitely a pattern on this site.
Congratulations Larry! And republicans in general. It’s one stop shopping for conspiracy theories, bigots and racists!
And Larry keeps arguing that there’s no problems with race because his dead black grandson had a couple of white guys show up for his memorial. SMH.
Joseph,
It’s pretty clear what happened, trump’s Qultists , at the behest of the president himself,” fought like hell” to “ stop the steal” by beating Capital Police with blue lives matter flag poles, hanging Mike Pence, and killing that bitch Pelosi. No need to kill officers to keep the truth from coming out, the insurrectionists video’d themselves and posted it online.
Goddamn you fucking people.
Ben, we all understand alright, you are pathetic and weak. Almost every police officer, firefighter, nurse, physician, EMT has had multiple similar experiences and very, very few require ‘intervention’. Having empathy for someone’s situation and feeling sorry for their loss is natural, but wanting to take one’s own life in response is pathologic.
Stop blaming the ‘Right’ for everything that happens, and specifically what happened on Jan 6. It will never come to pass, but let’s really look into EVERYTHING surrounding that day, including how many additional antagonistic groups (like Antifa and BLM) were present around and inside the Capitol, why didn’t Pelosi increase the security detail when asked to do so, did the FBI have anything to do with planting subversives in the crowd, why did the police officer shoot at Ashli Babbit rather than use a taser or simply cuff her while she was hanging in a window, why did the police even allow such a large throng in the doors in the first place, etc. Unfortunately, the Left’s investigation will only be a ‘Dog and Pony’ show as it has been with everything related to Conservatives and Trump. Where was the outrage when Antifa and BLM attacked Federal buildings in several states? Oh, yeah, those were just peaceful protests. Where was the outrage when Hunter Biden’s computer and a credible witness pretty obviously implicate Joe Biden in talks with Chinese officials, even though dementia Joe denies ever speaking with them? Oh, nothing to see there. Unfortunately, there never seems to be anything to see when the Dems are suspects.
Ignoring their hypocrisy is the level of delusion that the left wants the rest of us to accept. Forget about it pal!
Dick, I didn’t realize you were a psychologist. I think I alluded to that in my original post. 25 years of combined service in the military and as a career firefighter and I was able to handle the trauma thrown my way, until I wasn’t.
Thanks for the advice though.
That being said, defendant after defendant has said that they were there at the behest of the President. Their own social media presence connected the dots between right wing beliefs, Republican dogma and the insurrection. Maybe the two Republicans on the Select committee will suss out the BLM and AntFa agitators you speak of. But I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Dick,
I’m not sure why I am trying to justify anything to you, but, My men have never thought of me as weak. They will risk their lives because I ask them to. I’m sure you wouldn’t understand.
But thank you for illustrating my point that keyboard warriors that have never served a day in their life, questioning the manhood of those that do are exasperating the issues of these fine men. Blue lives matter… until they don’t.
Dick
Ben, by the way, you really should remember to take your medicine.
““I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.” Chuck Schumer
This is what a threat looks like Ben, and it’s a far cry from asking people to fight for truth;.
Oh yeah, goddamn you right back!
Will someone please tell me who died?? My memory is not what it used to be since Ashley Babbit is the only person I can remember.
Thanks for sharing Ben. Yes some of these articles seem insensitive. I hope you are healed.
I under understand where this guy is coming from, having said that I look at what happened on the 6th :
1. You had a police office( if he was one) 2 to 3 times took a bead on this woman and then on the last time fired. It looked tome like he was waiting for the right moment. There is still no proof he was even a cop. He could have been an operative in the CIA, they are in bed with the democrats.
2. There is a huge question mark about how much Pelosi had to do with creating the environment for this to happen.
The democrats will go to any extreme to prevent the truth about that from getting out. The more people who have the knowledge of what took place behind the scenes disappear the better chance they have at pulling it off. They meaning the democrats.
3. So yes people should question the deaths of these officers. They also so be looking for holes in the scenarios the democrats come up with.
Brian,
I think I’ve heard this one from conservatives before,” if she had followed the officer’s commands, she wouldn’t be dead”.
I believe their doing themselves in, for another reason, that the truth of what happened here is being covered up by dumbocraps, because they know their lying about, who was causing this seige. We know antifa,blm,activists were there, early causing dsetruction, and was covered up by the dummycraps. This is why they are refusing to show thousands of hours of the jan 6th insurrection, because it will come back to haunt crazy,piglosi, the true cause, for refusing thousands of guardsmen, from Trump for security purposes, she turned down.
I honestly and truly respect you, your fellow workers, and the entire Firefighters, emergency responders, Police and any and all that serve our communities so selflessly on every day of their service! In looking back, I should have served in one of those jobs, but didn’t.
I am 81, served in the Army for 4 years, and came home to a much calmer and more stable America than we have seen in a LOOOOOng time! I consider every service person that served in ANY branch of the Military in Viet Nam, and the far east a hero! Our country, along with crooked politicians and democraps, has RUINED AMERICA! We have a president and vice-president that are NEITHER capable of carrying on a news-cast nor the guidance of America! I truly condemn ANY and ALL persons that live in this great country, but have become leaches of society by “HOLDING A GOV’T POSITION”!! There are a small number of these public servants that truly stand for HONOR, HONESTY, TRUTH, AND THE AMERICAN WAY!
We are plagued with little people that have a talent that is enjoyed by the public, and think that it makes them an “ALL-KNOWING genius that has the right and position to change America!! BULL!!! BLM should be ALL AMERICANS MATTER, and if they were truly honored and live in America with PRIDE in our fore-fathers knowledge and foresight, instead of their small ideas and demands for changing and running America,,,AND gave a like amount of energy towards making America BETTER, thru intelligent service towards an AMERICA that we can be proud of again, we would win many of the battles that now cripple AMERICA! THIS IS A WONDERFUL COUNTRY THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WANTS TO LIVE IN,,,,,,,,DO YOU GET THAT??
Why is it that you don’t see leaky over capacity boats sailing from the USA to Cuba to escape capitalism and freedom?
Good question Ollie, and we all know the answer!
Jim, that’s a hell of a rant. I reject your “respect” when it comes bundled in blaming others for what America is, and it is certainly not where “everyone wants to live”. We are barely in the top 10 in standard of living, and it’s in large part due to your generation.
All American lives can’t matter UNTIL Black lives also matter. The fact that we, as a society have long made black lives more difficult is no accident. Hell, we founded America on the principle that black lives were subhuman. White men enslaved them, enacted Jim Crow, redlined housing, made it impossible to vote , threw them in prison for non violent crimes that we knew targeted men of color ( and hippies).
DO YOU GET THAT?
When was America great? What would it take to make you proud of America again?
Thankfully you won’t be around much longer, nor will the Republican Party.
Ben, that’s B.S. and you know it. Freedom is what people cherish above all else, not your socialist/communist/totalitarian utopia. And America is the only place in the world where that freedom truly still exists, though the left and it minions like you are doing everything they possibly can steal it away with their misguided idealogies.
Picker,
That’s not true.
Ben, your medicine…don’t forget.
Dick,
This is what I am referring to. When key board warriors, such as yourself, and talking heads try to use getting help as a slur, it does way more harm than you could ever imagine. I think this is what the Capital Police Officers are up against. First the insurrectionists and now the public shaming for needing help.
But your safe behind your computer. No worries for you. Your parents aptly named you for sure.
Ok Ben. You’ve said enough. Myself as part of society have done nothing wrong to any person of color. So yes, all lives matter. I understand that you have been through a lot but it’s not the fault of most Americans how blacks are or aren’t treated. One question. Are you a man of color? If so, tell us if and when you have been subjected to bigotry. You like to throw that word around a lot. You must have some up close and personal reasons for it. Come on. Testify!!!!
Obviously, Ben does not know the meaning of respect.
Marie,
What makes you say that?
I’m not the one disparaging these officer’s lives , calling them weak or pathetic. That’s Punching Bag Post’s conservative readers.
Respect is given, it’s earned, you’ve done nothing to earn my respect.
I’ve been watching politics since the mid eighties and I have grown used to the idea that certain politicians are very “lucky” in that whenever a thing happens which could be bad for them, the source of danger always seems to commit suicide just before the other shoe drops. This situation is no different-Madam Speaker has assured herself that no questions will be asked about any part she may have had in the Jan. 6 events. She has done everything possible to pin the “mighty insurrection” on ex-president Trump. She needs to do this because she doesn’t want Trump to have a second term. Trump asked about having the National Guard available-someone said no. Who? It has been shown that Capital Police held the doors open for the first intruders-who gave the order to allow this to happen? It has been shown that both antifa and BLM thugs were the first intruders into the Capital-who thought that was a good idea? Now, some of these cops are killing themselves-sorry, but I’ve seen this movie previously.
THE OFFICERS MUST HAVE MIXED FEELINGS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING. A SHORT TIME BEFORE THEY WERE PROTECTING TRUMP AND NOW BIDEN. THE ELECTION IS THOUGHT TO BE FIXED BY MANY. THE COURTS ATTACK AND DESTROY PEOPLE WITH THE ME TOO MOVEMENT AND THE IRS. THE DEMOCRATS IMPEACH TRUMP DURING THE BIGGEST AND MOST DEADLY VIRUS EVER AND THEY THINK NOTHING OF IT. THE BLACKS SEEK TO DESTROY ALL THE STATUES. EVEN THEY DO NOT EVEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE. WHEN DOES A NEW LEADER TAKE CHARGE AND GET AMERICA BACK ON THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW. WHY DID BIDEN SHUT DOWN THE PIPE LINE. GAS IS UP A LOT. THINK ABOUT IT. IF YOU WERE AN OFFICER WOULD YOU SUPPORT A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO COST YOU MONEY EVERYTIME YOU GET GAS. PULOSKI AND SCHUMER IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU NEED TO GET THE PIPE LINE GOING AGAIN OR YOU ARE GOING TO HAVING TO REPORT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. ALSO IF YOU ARE A FEDERAL AGENT AND READING THESE EMAILS, DO YOU WANT TO SUPPORT THESE PEOPLE.
One thing I will never believe is that it was just plain old PTSD.
Ben, thank you for your service, sorry for your travails. Get help, especially if you have family speaking as one who has seen the downstream effect of all this which can last for generations in kids that don’t even know why.
Beautiful sentiments: “Ben, we all understand alright, you are pathetic and weak. Almost every police officer, firefighter, nurse, physician, EMT has had multiple similar experiences and very, very few require ‘intervention” Did you actually have supporting evidence for that ludicrousl statement? Cuz it’s very wrong, at least based on facts. Police are at about a 3 to 5 times higher risk of suicide than other citizens. That’s based on the number that complete the act. While it might be true that very few, in the scheme of things, require intervention, it’s pretty obvious, statistically speaking, that a higher number do than the average citizen and a higher percentage than of average citizens could use some help. I’ll let you figure out the military. I would gather medical industry will suffer higher rates this year too, it’s pretty brutal out there and getting younger every day, not to mention totally unnecessary. Could be PTSD too, and not necessarily attached to the job, or the day, just exacerbated because of it.
It’s usually a combination of things, past, present, and future. No doubt the job has something to do with it; no doubt the events of 1/6 and the resulting firestorm of rhetoric from the right doesn’t help, nor the current life in the pandemic. On top of that, IMO there’s a cluster effect, Werther effect, or as I term it: a Lemming effect. That is, not necessarily copycat except that it’s suicide, but often we get a cluster as people who may think about it get a push from others doing it. Might be some of that going on too.
“Where was the outrage when Antifa and BLM attacked Federal buildings in several states?” Gee, maybe you should jfgi.
Frank, Thank you for the response. I had no idea that this would blow up like this. I was simply trying to enlighten Jacob, since he was either truly ignorant on how this could happen, or was deliberately trying to shame these men for having a hard time dealing with a traumatic experience.
There’s two things that really bother me about this thread, the total lack of empathy from the readers ( and Republican Party at large) and the prevailing thoughts of what toughness and being a man is.
No one has ever questioned my manhood or toughness, grown men out themselves in harms way because I ask them to. But yet these keyboard warriors think they have an idea what it takes to be a first responder and deal with the trauma we regularly see. I don’t have a problem putting myself out there to hopefully educate people. Even if it’s only one. I have worked hard to be open with my struggles so that other men in my department don’t fee the shame associated with asking for help. I have made it known that they can come to me and I’ll help find them help if they need. I have provided names and phone numbers via department wide email so they have the info if they aren’t comfortable admitting they want help. I call after most traumatic events to check on crews and let them know that it’s ok to have your brain in a jumble.
If I have to deal with a few “macho keyboard warriors “ as a result, so be it.
Face it ben. You are never going to measure up to keyboard warriors
Ben, when they look at the 1/6 tapes, hear from the thousands of people there, it’s a horror shit show no matter who is being interviewed. But to rationalize their lives, they got to somehow rationalize that Donald J. Trump somehow is correct. They can’t win on the facts, they can’t win the majority vote, so they create their own reality fed by bots, disinformation mavens, while they move to change the laws in the places they still own the State so they can win the next election the only way they can, by stealing it.
Even those who bravely say “well, I don’t like his personality, but…” have to run for cover as they try to hide their shame over conservatives storming the Capitol. They can hold their nose, but it still stinks to high Hell.
Conservatives need a narrative to make 1/6 OK. Talking heads need to make their blood money. If police tell the stories they did, it must be “performance art” because saying so makes Hannity, Ingram, and Tucker big bucks. If police participants take their lives in numbers above coincidence, it must be a conspiracy of the left, the left made them lie, it wasn’t the people with Confederate flags and Trump signs, it was antifa, blm, activists that did all the violence, and so on and so on. Their highest bar is that it was mostly tourists caught up in the moment instigated by a few bad apples. Look at the tapes, sure seems like a coordinated mob all moving in the same direction. I don’t see anyone saying “stop,” “what are you doing,” or even leaving the scene. How many hours did it go on: over four hours. It took three hours for Trump to even call them off, weakly, via tweet.
Ben, it’s the only way the disenfranchised can keep their narrative going. No way could have Donald J. Trump invite a crowd that came with zipties, weapons, and body armor, and then excite and incite them only to turn them loose on the Capitol telling them he would be there, he was coming. In the aftermath of that shitstorm, the only way to explain the results is to find someone else to blame. The only way to affirm their reality is to discount the pictures, videos, and accounts from the day. It just couldn’t have happened that way, there must be someone else to blame.
Like The Big Lie, like It’s Just the Flu, like Masks assault my liberty, there’s ain’t no there, there, but that’s the beauty of a good conspiracy theory — difficult to disprove too. And as long as they have someone, something, to blame, they can go on in their reality of Donald J. Trump, known fraud artist par excellence. Don’t let all those indictments, guilty pleas, and convictions tell you otherwise. Over 612 people served indictments so far, hundreds more coming. More than 50% will be misdemeanors. So far, 36 guilty pleas, 28 for misdemeanors, 8 for felonies.
You can’t yell “performance art” in court.
Ben, it’s not you they are lambasting, it’s really the assault on their reality.
Frank, the good news is the trump appointed Federal Judge has allowed the defamation suit to proceed. What do you think the chances of the Qultists realizing had bad they have been duped when Rudy, Lindel, Powell can’t prove those innocence?
How will they move the goalposts then?
I’m torn between being mortified that people can be manipulated so easily, and pure fascination that these people actually function in our society.
Thanks for your support in this echo chamber. I post, hoping that I can help at least one of them realize how far off base they are.
I keep hoping
Linden just went down on himself big time. At his own hand job of a conservative cyber convention, his own data expert hired gun said his election fraud data could not prove fraud and was collected and sold to Lindel by known fraudster.
Today, was also the day that Lindel claimed it would all be over, the fraud would be apparent based on his special data and Trump will be magically reinstated to office by not only today, but by early morning today.
This does not help Mike’s court case where instead of shucking and ducking like crybaby Powell or trying for Rudy’s insanity plea, Lindel has doubled down saying it’s all true, he’s got the good stuff which apparently is oregano.
Did I hear crickets? Pillows on sale at 66.6% off. It’s a Devil of a deal.