Families Seek Duty Death Status for Officers who Died from Suicide After Capitol Riot

Officers Jeffrey Smith's and Howard Liebengood's families say they deserve line of duty recognition because they believe the officers would be alive today if the Jan. 6 riot did not occur.

February 16, 2021

Families of two Capitol police officers who died by suicide after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot are seeking “line of duty” recognition for the officers' deaths, the Hill reports.

Officers Jeffrey Smith's and Howard Liebengood's families say they deserve line of duty recognition because they believe the officers would be alive today if the Jan. 6 riot did not occur, according to The Washington Post.

“But for his service to the country, they believe he would be alive today,” Liebengood family attorney Barry Pollack told the Post.

Smith's family has sought support for their cause from members of Congress, the Post reported.

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