Featured image of post Exclusive: Widow of D.C. police officer Jeff Smith, who died by suicide, says battling rioters on Jan. 6 "changed him"

Exclusive: Widow of D.C. police officer Jeff Smith, who died by suicide, says battling rioters on Jan. 6 "changed him"

Bodycam footage obtained by CBS News shows Jeff Smith was struck in the head with a metal pole.

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Bodycam footage obtained by CBS News shows Jeff Smith was struck in the head with a metal pole.

Highlights

  • Jeff Smith, a 12-year veteran of the Metropolitan Police Department, died by suicide after responding to rioting on Jan.
  • 6, 2021.
  • His widow, Erin Smith, is pressing Congress to pass legislation recognizing the trauma suffered by law enforcement officers who take their own lives.
  • “I’m fighting for everyone else who has gone through this as well as my husband,” Erin Smith said.
  • Jeff Smith is one of more than 750 officers nationwide to die by suicide since 2017.
  • Jeff’s body camera footage appears to show that Jeff Smith was the target of multiple assaults on him, at least once inside the Capitol and then again a few hours later — outside at the Capitol.