Former Capitol Police officer wants to end the falsehoods about Jan. 6

Source: ABC News

October 5, 2024, 6:05 AM


A United States Capitol Police Officer, who defended the Capitol during the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, vividly recounts the events of that day, describing it as a profoundly devastating experience for himself, his fellow officers and the nation as a whole. Former Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon spoke with ABC News about the trauma of Jan. 6. "It's hard to relive and talk about moments like this," Pingeon said. "I had that moment right there that I might die right here on the steps of the U.S. Capitol."

Pingeon and his team, dressed in full riot gear, rushed to the Capitol's west front that day, the site of some of the most brutal violence against police officers that day. "I remember hearing radio calls of officers yelling for help that the line had been breached," Pingeon said. "They sounded panicked and like they really needed help. So, in my mind, that was one of the first indicators, 'hey, maybe this is not just a normal protest.'"

Pingeon recalls his team being outnumbered and says he was punched in the face by rioters who had descended on the Capitol that day to protest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results, fueled by false claims about election fraud spread by Former President Donald Trump. "I was knocked on my back," Pingeon said. "My helmet came down and felt like someone was on top of me and I couldn't see anything. And I remember just thinking, I have to protect my gun, because they stole my baton."

Pingeon wasn't injured as severely as other officers, but he has invisible scars that may never fully heal. He returned to work shortly after the riot and served in the Capitol Police for another nine more months as the memory of Jan. 6 became politicized. He has since left law enforcement. "Right after Jan. 6, it seemed like everybody was on the same page," Pingeon said. "This is not OK. Then very quickly the narrative shifted. And that was really difficult to see."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/former-capitol-police-officer-end-falsehoods-jan-6/story?id=114464816