Jan. 6 Insurrection claims life of Japanese American police officer who defended the Capitol

Officer Guther Hashida

UPDATED, 12 p.m., Aug. 3, to include funeral details

The Jan. 6 insurrection attempt claimed the life of another victim. Gunther Hashida, a member of the Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department.

Hashida, 43, was found deceased at home on July 29, said MPD spokesperson Brianna Burch.

He was among the officers who responded to the calls for help by the Capitol Police when thousands of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 presidential election.

Officer Hashida was assigned to the emergency response team within the special operations department, the MPD said, confirming that he had taken his life. 

“We are grieving as a department and our thoughts and prayers are with Officer Hashida’s family and friends,” she said.

Hashida is survived by his wife, Romelia, and three children, his sister and other members of a “wonderful family”, according to an online fundraising campaign established in his memory.

The GoFundMe page said: “In his work as an officer with the DC Metropolitan Police Department, he worked to serve and protect the public. He was a devoted and loving husband and father. This fund will help support his memorial service and his family in the loss of his love and guidance.”

Hours after the department released details of Hashida's July 29 death, the MPD announced that another police officer who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, Officer Kyle DeFreytag, also died by suicide.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) released a statement Monday afternoon, calling Hashida a hero who risked his life for "our very Democracy:"

“Officer Hashida was a hero, who risked his life to save our Capitol, the Congressional community and our very Democracy. All Americans are indebted to him for his great valor and patriotism on January 6th and throughout his selfless service.

“May Officer Hashida’s life be an inspiration to all to protect our Country and Democracy. And may it be a comfort to Officer Hashida’s family that so many mourn their loss and pray for them at this sad time.”

The deaths of Hashida and DeFreytag, are the third and fourth known instances of a suicide by law enforcement officers related to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Police officers were overwhelmed -- some engaged in hand-to-hand combat -- by the thousands of insurrectionists who forced their way into the Capitol.

Officer Jeffrey Smith, a 12-year veteran of the force, and Officer Howard Liebengood, a 16-year Capitol police veteran, also responded to the 6 January attack and later died by suicide.

The deaths of Hashida and DeFreytag occurred days after the powerful testimony of other officers before the House of Representatives select committee investigating the events of Jan. 6i

During the hearing before the House committee last month, Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn delivered an emotional plea to officers who defended the Capitol to seek out professional help if they need it.

"I want to take this moment and speak to my fellow officers about the emotions they are continuing to experience from the events of January 6. There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional counseling," Dunn testified.

"What we all went through that day was traumatic, and if you are hurting, please take advantage of the counseling services that are available to us."

Officer Hashida's funeral service will be held at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home and Crematory in Dale City, Virginia on August 7. He will be buried at Dumfries Cemetery in Dumfries.