Jan. 6 D.C. Metro Cop’s Suicide Ruled 'in Line of Duty'

MAR 10 2022·Updated DEC 21 2022

Story

Image credit: NBC News

The Facts

DC's Police compensation board has ruled that Metro police officer Jeffrey Smith's 2021 suicide was directly caused by injuries sustained while responding to the Jan. 6 riots at the US Capitol.
CNN
The ruling makes Smith's family eligible to receive benefits reserved for officers who lose their lives in the line of duty.
CNN
The decision comes after a long campaign by his wife, Erin Smith.
Independent
At least three other officers--Kyle DeFreytag, Gunther Hashida, and Howard Liebengood--have taken their own lives since the Capitol riots. Liebengood's family is also fighting for full survivor's benefits.
wapo

Sources Split

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The Spin

Left narrative

Justice has finally been served. Smith was a hero, and what happened at the Capitol was an unnecessary tragedy. His family should be taken care of.

NBC

Pro-Trump narrative

While the suicide was tragic, the left media have latched onto and exagerated stories like this to make the Jan. 6 riots seem far more violent and menacing than they actually were.

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