Photo surfaces showing two Rocky Mount policemen inside the Capitol on Wednesday

ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – UPDATE

In the days following the United States Capitol riot, in which people entered the sacred halls of America’s democracy, participants from across the country are beginning to be denounced. This includes in our area, where an activist shared this post on Facebook on Saturday night questioning whether two Rocky Mount officers entered the Capitol that day.

The photo, authenticated by 10 News and posted above in the image, shows two men in front of the John Stark statue, located inside the Capitol crypt. New Hampshire’s Stark is famous for coining the slogan “Live for free or die”.

Shortly after that, Jacob Fracker, a Rocky Mount officer posted publicly on his now deleted Facebook page about it, saying, “Lol for anyone who is possibly concerned about my picture walking around … Sorry, do I hate freedom? Not like I did something illegal, a lot to lose to go there, but do what you feel you need to do. “

Later, in the comment thread, Fracker made it clear that he was referring to the activist’s post.

So Thomas Robertson, another Rocky Mount officer, intruded on the same post later with a message of support saying that Congress and the government are our enemies. He then wrote: “PS. Here is the photo in question and I’m [expletive] Proud of it. It shows 2 men willing to really play the game and fight for their rights. “

He ended by telling four residents, including Franklin County Commonwealth Attorney AJ Dudley, to [expletive] out and hide behind the men.

10 News caught up with Fracker and Robertson. Fracker, through his wife, declined to comment.

Robertson told us he needed to finish the investigation before talking to us, but he said the photo was taken “long after any disorder and we were let in and escorted by the Capitol Police”. He added “I entered through an open door guarded by two Capitol police officers, a bottle of water was delivered and asked to stay inside a fenced area, which we did.”

Robertson says neither he nor Fracker did anything illegal and said they did not participate in any violence.

10 News asked the Capitol police about these allegations and we haven’t heard back yet.

Neither is in the FBI brochures looking for information about the riot.

On Sunday morning, about 12 hours after the viral post, Rocky Mount issued a statement saying that the city supports legal expressions of freedom of speech and assembly by its officials, but does not tolerate the illegal acts that occurred that day. The two directors are on administrative leave.

Additional questions and requests for interviews for the city administrator and the police chief were left unanswered.

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UPDATE

10 News confirmed that Thomas Robertson is one of two officers placed on administrative leave.

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ORIGINAL STORY

Two Rocky Mount police officers are on administrative leave after attending the January 6 rally in Washington, DC, which turned into a deadly riot at the United States Capitol.

“The city of Rocky Mount fully supports all legal expressions of freedom of speech and assembly for its employees, but does not support the illegal acts that occurred that day,” the department said in a press release on Sunday.

The cops were off duty at the time.

Based on the information available, the department has notified federal authorities and the individuals who attended the event are on administrative leave for review.