Police officers receive Congressional Gold Medals for defending the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6
CBSN
Nearly two years after the Jan. 6 riot, law enforcement officers who defended the U.S. Capitol are being honored during a ceremony on Tuesday.
Congressional leaders are paying tribute to officers with the Capitol Police Department — as well as Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police force — who risked their lives to protect the Capitol complex from violent protesters storming the building.
The attack happened while members of both congressional chambers were inside holding a joint session to count electoral college votes and ultimately certify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Five people, including one Capitol Police officer, died either during the riot or as a result of their injuries from the mayhem. Four more officers died by suicide in the days, weeks and months that followed.
