“Her (Pittman’s) reluctance to designate the January 9 suicide as ‘doing her duty’ is a mistake that must be corrected,” writes Liebengood in the letter to Wexton.
During the February hearing, Wexton asked Pittman why the death of Officer Liebengood was not considered in the line of duty and Pittman deflected the issue, saying he was still under investigation. In an interview with CNN, Wexton said she has had subsequent conversations with Capitol Police leaders, where they said that while the investigation is ongoing, death is unlikely to be designated “in the line of duty.” If his death were designated as such, his family would be entitled to a series of benefits to which they currently do not have access.
“That’s not what this is about,” said Wexton of losing access to benefits. “It is more about the principle of his understanding that the PTSD and the tragedy that accompanied the events of January 6 are real. And that the stigma that follows the police after that, and the reluctance to seek help, is also real.”
In a statement to CNN, Pittman said he would always “appreciate Howie’s dedication to our department and Congress” and that “the department provided Howie’s family with their well-deserved death bonus payment”.
“Although I want to support the Liebengood family as much as possible, online statements of duty death are given to police officers who die while fulfilling official law enforcement responsibilities,” Pittman said in the statement. “Even the deaths of police officers who tragically took their own lives after the September 11 terrorist attack were not considered deaths in line of duty.”
Pittman also said that “the Department has always made mental health resources available to our workforce and has significantly increased these resources in size and scope after January 6”.
“The USCP family continues to mourn the tragic and premature death of Officer Howie Liebengood, whose family and friends I prayed and comforted,” said Pittman.
In addition to Liebengood, Metropolitan Police Department officer Jeffery Smith died of suicide days after the insurrection. Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick also lost his life as a result of the injuries sustained that day. Authorities say 140 police officers were injured on January 6.
Liebengood went into detail in the letter about her husband’s struggles during the week of the insurrection. She describes his incredible workload and the price it was charging him both physically and mentally.
“After helping with Capitol riot control on January 6, the USCP programmed Howie to work long shifts for the next few days. He stayed at home for a few hours over the course of four days, ”she writes. “Although he was severely deprived of sleep, he remained on duty – as instructed – for almost 24 hours a day from 6 to 9 January. On the night of the 9th, he committed suicide in our home.”
Howie Liebengood was a 15-year veteran of the Capitol police force and his father, Howie Liebengood Sr., previously served as a Senate weapons sergeant. His widow noted his family’s deep connection to the United States Capitol and its protection. Liebengood also served as a Senate page. His widow argued that his death, and the deaths of others who lost their lives in connection with the insurrection, should lead to serious reforms in the Capitol’s security situation.
“The Liebengood family wishes that Howie’s death was not in vain,” says the letter. “Recognition of the cause of his death, as well as a critical examination of the turmoil itself, will remain central to correcting these tragedies and helping to prevent them from recurring.”
Liebengood asked Wexton to share the letter with colleagues in Congress in an effort to push for revisions to the system and to help change her husband’s death ranking. In an interview with CNN, Wexton said he expects other members of Congress to take note of Liebengood’s story and enact the necessary changes.
“Howie would still be with us and then, if it weren’t for the January 6 events,” said Wexton. “There is a lack of mental health services for Capitol police around this event and even before.”
In a statement to CNN, the Liebengood family said they hoped that, by introducing themselves, they would be able to drive the change they believe is necessary: ”Howie has devoted 15 years of his life to protecting these elected officials, as well as millions of visitors to the Capitol of the United States. USA every year. Officials on both sides of the aisle witnessed the catastrophic events of January 6. First hand. We are certain that they recognize that this tragedy led to Howie’s death. “