Connert Media’s Person of the Year: Eugene Goodman

This year, 2021, Connert Media’s staff unanimously selected Eugene Goodman

Eugene Goodman (born 1980) is an American United States Capitol Police officer, who, during the 2021 United States Capitol attack, diverted the rioters from the United States Senate chamber. Goodman is a U.S. Army veteran who later served as the acting Deputy Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate from January 20, 2021 to March 2, 2021. On February 12, 2021, the Senate adopted a resolution awarding Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal.

On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump breached the United States Capitol building, Goodman, unaccompanied by other officers, confronted them. He has been cited for heroism in baiting and diverting the crowd away from the Senate chamber in the minutes before the chamber could be safely evacuated. As the crowd reached a landing from which there was an unimpeded path to the Senate chamber, Goodman pushed the lead person, Doug Jensen, and then retreated away from the chamber. One report described his actions as follows:

In short, he tricked them, willingly becoming the rabbit to their wolf pack, pulling them away from the chambers where armed officers were waiting, avoiding tragedy and saving lives. Lives which include their own.

References:

• Wikipedia – Eugene Goodman (police officer)