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Speech

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the Launch of the Howard C. Liebengood Foundation

Location

Washington, DC
United States

Remarks as Delivered

Thanks so much, Serena, for that overly generous introduction, and for the invitation to join you at the launch of this foundation.

During Officer Liebengood’s 15 years of service with the United States Capitol Police, he was known to his colleagues and to the people he protected as kind, thoughtful, and selfless.

When the United States Capitol was attacked on January 6, Officer Liebengood selflessly answered the call.

He answered the call to defend the Capitol, and all those working inside.

He answered the call to protect the cornerstone of our system of government — the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next.

And he answered the call to defend our democracy.

We know that law enforcement officers endured horrific physical violence on that day. They were punched, tackled, and tased as they defended the Capitol and those inside. One officer was crushed in a door, another was dragged down a flight of stairs. Officers were attacked with chemical agents that burned their eyes and their skin. They were assaulted with pipes, poles, and other dangerous weapons.

And we know that officers like Officer Liebengood endured horrific trauma that day that severely impacted their mental health.

Within days of enduring the trauma of the January 6 attack, Officer Liebengood died by suicide.

Officer Liebengood defended the United States Capitol, the people inside, and our very democracy on January 6. He lost his life in the line of duty.

Serena, in the wake of an unimaginable loss, you have honored Howie’s life of service in so many ways.

Together with Howie’s siblings John and Anne, along with Jim Pasco — my friend of almost 30 years — and the team at Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Serena has advocated for important legislative changes to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program.

That program, which is administered through the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides support to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty and support to the survivors of fallen officers.

Because of the advocacy of Serena and so many others, coverage through that program now extends to officers who are permanently and totally disabled due to certain mental health disorders, as well as to those who die by suicide as a result of exposure to traumatic events that they encounter while on duty.

That change was essential. And it was long overdue.

And with this foundation named in Howie’s memory, the Liebengood family is continuing to honor Howie’s life of service.

As Howard C. Liebengood Foundation board member John Violanti has said, “We need to immediately address issues which prevent care and health for those who protect and serve.”

All of us at the Justice Department are proud to stand alongside all of you in our shared commitment to supporting officer safety, health, and wellness.

Every single day, law enforcement officers are asked to risk their lives as they respond to some of the most difficult moments that our communities will face.

In doing so, they endure stress and trauma at a level the rest of us cannot even begin to comprehend.

They should not have to face that alone.

They must not face that alone.

It is our shared hope that all enforcement officers, in every community, know that they are not alone.

We are with you.


Updated January 25, 2024