Family Of Officer Who Died After Defending U.S. Capitol Eligible For Federal Benefits

NORTHERN VIRGINIA — The family of a D.C. police officer who lived in Northern Virginia and died by suicide after defending the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, from rioters will be eligible for federal benefits.

The U.S. Department of Justice last Thursday designated the death of D.C. police officer Jeffrey Smith as having occurred in the line of duty, granting his widow access to hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal benefits.

Lawmakers had been pushing for this designation and helped pass legislation last year to support the families of public safety officers lost to trauma-linked suicides, such as the families of Smith and Virginia resident Howard Liebengood. The line-of-duty designation makes Smith’s family eligible for federal benefits.

“We are relieved the DOJ has taken this step to grant Officer Smith’s family the respect and recognition they deserve after this horrific tragedy,” Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) said in a joint statement Monday.

“Officer Smith gave his life in service to democracy and the peaceful transition of power. We owe him — and all law enforcement — a tremendous debt of gratitude for putting their lives on the line for our safety,” the lawmakers said.

Smith died on Jan. 15, 2021, after leaving his Virginia home for what would have been his first day back to work following a medical leave.

Video evidence showed Smith getting hit in the head with a metal pole by the Jan. 6 rioters. “We took the evidence from the autopsy, expert witnesses, body camera footage and federal subpoenas to prove that Jeff suffered a traumatic brain injury on Jan. 6,” Erin Smith's lawyer told CNN.

A change in law in 2022 made it easier for families of officers who die by suicide to access death benefits.

"I could have given up. But I did not want any future widow, or widower, to ever go through what I went through in the aftermath of Jeffrey’s death," said Erin Smith, Jeffrey Smith’s widow, in a statement.

The D.C. Police and Firefighters Retirement and Relief Board had ruled Smith's death as having occurred in the line of duty, which allowed Erin Smith to receive a full pension.

Erin Smith's attorney said the decision means Erin Smith is now entitled to $370,000, as well as other educational benefits, The Washington Post reported.

If you or someone you know is considering harming themselves, help is available. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255. Immediate help is also available in an emergency by dialing 9-1-1.

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