A Japanese American man has become the fourth officer to commit suicide after responding to the 6 January attacks on the Capitol Building.
Officer Gunther Hashida was found dead at his home on Thursday according to Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson Officer Hugh Carew.
The 18-year veteran on the force was assigned to the Emergency Response Team within the department’s Special Operations Division and responded when rioters stormed the Capitol in January.
He was ordered to enforce curfew violations at the Capitol following the riot.
“Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congressional community and our very Democracy,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement.
“All Americans are indebted to him for his great valor and patriotism on January 6th and throughout his selfless service.”
The 43-year-old was the fourth officer who responded to the Capitol attack to later commit suicide.
Officer Kyle DeFreytag had also died by suicide in July.
Hashida was assigned to the Emergency Response Team within the department’s Special Operations Division.
Hours after Hashida’s death was announced, MPD confirmed officer Kyle DeFreytag had also died by suicide in July. Jeffrey Smith and Howard Liebengood committed suicide within a month of the attacks.
In other news, Chinese-Canadian pop idol Kris Wu has been arrested for suspected rape.
