Now, a bipartisan trio of lawmakers wants to recognize Goodman with a Congressional gold medal for potentially saving lives on one of the darkest days in US history.
Democratic representatives Charlie Crist of Florida and Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri, and Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced legislation this week to reward Goodman with the medal, reserved for Americans who have made “remarkable achievements and contributions” to their country .
Goodman’s contribution was captured by the camera. Images of the uprising captured by Huffington Post reporter Igor Bobic shows Goodman being chased down the Capitol stairs by a crowd of rebels shortly after they invaded. When he reached a landing, he looked to the left, where he noticed the door to the Senate chambers was still unprotected. He then led the protesters to the right, away from lawmakers and toward support officers.
Senate chambers would not be safe until a minute later, according to CNN’s timeline of riot events.
“By putting his own life at risk and successfully, leading insurrectionists alone away from the Senate House floor, Officer Eugene Goodman fulfilled his duty to protect Congress with distinction and, for his actions, Officer Goodman left a mark indelible in American history “, says the legislation.
Lawmakers said in statements that their actions saved lives.
“When he was the only thing standing between members of Congress and the violent crowd, he quickly and selflessly redirected their fury so that those members could escape,” said Mace. “Thanks to your value, we are here today.”
CNN has contacted the US Capitol Police for comment and is waiting for a response. The department did not publicly identify Goodman to CNN or other media.
Previous Congressional Gold Medal honorees include Tuskegee airmen, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (awarded posthumously) and Coretta Scott King and black mathematicians who worked at NASA during the mid-20th century, including Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan .
