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CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Remembering Minneapolis Police Officer Jamal Mitchell one year after his death in the line of duty
It's been one year since Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was killed in the line of duty. Mitchell raced to help a man in the Whittier neighborhood, not knowing the armed man he approached had just killed two people. Mitchell was a son, brother, father, fiancé and friend. The 36-year-old had only been with MPD for a year and a half but the impact he made will last a lifetime. At an annual service of remembrance last week, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said, "Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell dedicated his life to service. He was truly the definition of a hero." "In a pure act of selfless service, was taken from us by a violent act by the very person he was trying to help," Minneapolis police Chief Brian O'Hara said. The loss of officer Mitchell is still being felt in Minneapolis. "The weight of that loss is immense; the grief is deep," O'Hara said. With his fiancé and kids in attendance, Mitchell's sacrifice was honored in a special ceremony. "Today a banner bearing his name added to the Minneapolis Police Department flag joining the names of all the men and women who have died in the line of duty," O'Hara said. A similar scene to honor the fallen in took place in Washington, D.C. during National Police Week. His mom Janet Edwards was there, along with other family. "Very emotional to know that, you know, he was placed on the wall. I told everybody it was like a bittersweet moment for me," Edwards said. Edwards said Mitchell loved people. "And he loved his job. He loved what he was doing," Edwards said. At home they have their own memorial. "I felt like it was something that she can go to every morning. We know he's not here, but we can go to it to see him, and he's still shining in our heart," stepfather Dennis Edwards said. "He is missed, and he's missed throughout the whole family," Dennis Edwards said. They're proud of his courage and bravery. Only days on the job, Mitchell rescued an elderly couple from a house fire. Last year Mitchell was posthumously given the medal of honor and the purple heart. He was named 5th Precinct officer of the year. Last month, Minneapolis police honored those on scene for their courage and actions in the moments after Mitchell was shot, while remembering the fallen hero. "His actions as a man and how he lived his life, they're heroic. He was a role model. He's everything that we could ask for in a police officer," O'Hara said. O'Hara wears a metal band with his name on it. And carries Mitchell's duty weapon in honor of him. Others carry on his memory in their own ways. "There's other members of department here who were helping with youth activities with Jamal. That played basketball with him, off duty. Business owners and people from town who remember Jamal, you know, just coming in and just being a very positive, engaged role model for youth, and just honestly, you know, we could not have asked for better. And in life, he was a father," O'Hara said. A community, and department, indebted to their dad's service. "They they all have moments, you know, of difficulty and anguish. The main thing we want to make sure is that the family knows they will not be forgotten. He did what we asked him to do. And you know, the city owes, owes our gratitude to his family for their sacrifice," O'Hara said. Mitchell's mom plans to be in Connecticut Friday with some of his siblings. O'Hara will join Mitchell's family living in town for a private memorial, followed by time with officers who worked with him.
Yomiuri Shimbun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
GOP Won't Install Jan. 6 Plaque Honoring Law Enforcement, Democrats Say
Obtained by The Washington Post Congress approved this cast bronze plaque honoring members of law enforcement for their efforts to protect the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the plaque sits in a storage room in the Capitol as Democrats say Republican leaders won't install it because they are afraid it will anger President Donald Trump. More than three years after its installation was approved by Congress, a plaque honoring law enforcement personnel for defending the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, is instead sitting in a Capitol basement utility room surrounded by tools and maintenance equipment. The cast bronze memorial to the officers, which declares that 'their heroism will never be forgotten,' was required by law to be installed by March 2023 near the west front of the building. That was the scene of some of the most intense battles between police and supporters of President Donald Trump who attacked the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the election of Joe Biden as president. The legislation authorizing the memorial was part of an omnibus spending package approved by Democrats and 39 Republicans in 2022 and signed into law by Biden. Leadership of the House changed in 2023 when Republicans took control and before the plaque was ready to be installed. The memorial has been in limbo ever since. Last week, House and Senate Democrats used the backdrop of National Police Week to highlight their ongoing efforts to have the legislation implemented. They say the only thing keeping the plaque from public view is that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Republican members have not yet instructed the Architect of the Capitol to install it. At a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing last month, Architect of the Capitol Thomas E. Austin said that modifications on the House side of the Capitol are directed by the office of the speaker and that he had not received instructions to install the plaque. Democrats blamed the delay on Republicans not wanting to anger Trump, who has pardoned those convicted or facing charges for taking part in the Jan. 6 attack. 'The reason why the law hasn't been complied with and a plaque hasn't been erected is because Republicans, directed by their puppet master Donald Trump, have been told try to erase January 6 as if it has never happened,' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) said in a news conference last week. Johnson and several other Republican members of Congress did not reply to emails requesting comment on the assertions made by Democratic members. The White House press office also did not respond to a request for comment. Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colorado), a former Army Ranger who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, was in the balcony of the House chamber on Jan. 6, 2021, as rioters pounded on its doors, determined to halt the certification of the presidential election. He called out Republicans in a January letter signed by 58 Democrats for not following the law requiring the plaque's installation. In an interview this week, he said some Republican members have told him privately that they believe the officers who helped secure the Capitol that day should be honored, but they are worried about the consequences of saying so on the record. 'It comes down to a lack of courage and their interest in keeping their jobs above honoring police officers that put themselves in harm's way to save their lives,' Crow said. The plaque, 43 inches wide by 32 inches tall, features an engraving of the Capitol and an inscription that reads: 'On behalf of a grateful Congress, this plaque honors the extraordinary individuals who bravely protected and defended this symbol of democracy on January 6, 2021. Their heroism will never be forgotten.' It also lists the names of 21 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Capitol Police, the D.C. police, the FBI, the National Guard, and the Virginia and Maryland state police. A plaque of a similar size was installed in the Capitol in 1999 to honor two Capitol Police officers – Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson – who were killed in the line of duty July 24, 1998, when a man with a history of mental illness entered the building and began shooting. Rep. Joseph Morelle (New York), the ranking Democrat on the House Administration Committee, whose responsibilities include the day-to-day operations of the House, posted a video on Instagram showing the Jan. 6 plaque leaning against a shelf in a utility room. In a statement, he called for the plaque to be installed 'as required by law. Sadly, my Republican colleagues continue to insult the officers who risked – and in some cases lost – their lives defending democracy. It's disgraceful this conversation is even necessary.' Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin), the chairman of the House Administration Committee, did not respond to a request for comment sent to the committee's communications director. More than 140 officers were assaulted during the hours-long attack on the Capitol, including some who suffered severe injuries. Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick suffered two strokes and died the day after confronting rioters at the Capitol. He was 42. The decision to not install the memorial plaque angers his brother, Craig Sicknick. 'Mike Johnson of course refuses to hang it because he would have to admit that something bad happened on January 6, 2021, and the Republicans don't believe anything bad happened,' Sicknick said in an interview Monday. 'They believe the calendar skipped from January 5 to January 7.' Trump pardoned nearly all of about 1,600 people charged in the riot, including at least 379 charged with assaulting police or media members. And he granted clemency to 14 members of the far-right Proud Boys and Oath Keepers groups, most of whom were convicted of seditious conspiracy. The unions representing Capitol Police officers and D.C. police officers did not reply to a request for an interview. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger, who took charge of the force in July 2021 and is retiring this month, declined through a spokesperson to comment for this article. This week, the Trump administration settled a wrongful-death lawsuit for nearly $5 million with the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was fatally shot by police when she tried to break into the Speaker's Lobby during the Jan. 6 attack. After hearing of the proposed settlement, Manger wrote a letter to department officers calling it 'extremely disappointing.' 'In 2021, the DOJ said that there was no evidence to show that law enforcement broke the law. After a thorough investigation it was determined to be a justified shooting,' Manger wrote. 'This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement officers across our nation – especially those who have a protective mission like ours.' Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Maryland), who counts Capitol Police and D.C. police officers among his constituents, said he believes Republicans do not want the plaque installed because they 'are embarrassed.' 'January 6 was a low moment for democracy, certainly in America but also around the world,' Ivey said. 'And it was the lowest possible moment for Donald Trump and the Republican Party.' Ivey and other Democrats say they will continue their calls to have the plaque installed. 'We know the plaque was made, we know it is here in the Capitol and I have yet to see one good reason why the speaker hasn't put it up yet,' Sen. Patty Murray (D-Washington) said at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last week. 'I want you to know I'm going to keep pressing until we get that done.'
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are Republicans refusing to budge on the Jan. 6 plaque honoring law enforcement?
After the Jan. 6 attack, lawmakers agreed to install a permanent plaque to honor the law enforcement personnel who helped protect the U.S. Capitol against right-wing rioters. By statute, the plaque would list the names of the officers who served; it would be placed on the western side of the building; and it would be in place by March 2023. That was two months ago. As The Washington Post reported, the plaque is done, and it's ready to be installed, but it's currently 'sitting in a Capitol basement utility room surrounded by tools and maintenance equipment.' Last week, House and Senate Democrats used the backdrop of National Police Week to highlight their ongoing efforts to have the legislation implemented. They say the only thing keeping the plaque from public view is that House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) and Republican members have not yet instructed the Architect of the Capitol to install it. The Post's report added that Architect of the Capitol Thomas Austin confirmed during a congressional hearing last month that his office needs approval from the House speaker's office — that and Johnson still hasn't given his approval. As is usually the case when the political discussion turns to the Jan. 6 assault, a variety of Democrats have been quick to draw attention to this, while Republican officials have denied comment. There's no great mystery here. GOP officials could follow the law and honor the officers who protected democracy and our country's principal seat of government, but in Republican politics, the story of what transpired on Jan. 6 has been turned on its head. The heroes, according to the party's preferred narrative, were the rioters. In the only 2024 debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, the Republican was asked whether he had any regrets about the Jan. 6 attack. It was a good question, which he struggled answer. 'Ashli Babbitt was shot by an out-of-control police officer that should have never, ever shot her,' Trump said, adding, 'Nobody on the other side was killed.' This was wrong and offensive for a variety of reasons — Trump's condemnation of the officer was absurd — but of particular interest was his description of law enforcement as 'the other side.' In other words, for the incumbent president, there's an 'us' and a 'them.' The rioters who attacked the Capitol in Trump's name are part of the former, while the police are part of the latter. It's a perspective rooted in the idea that there are tribal political teams, and as far as Trump's concerned, the officers who served on Jan. 6 were the opposition. Congressional Republicans know this, which helps to explain why the plaque that should've been installed months ago is gathering dust in a closet. This article was originally published on
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Celebrating heroes
May 21—South Point Elementary School honors first responders with parade SOUTH POINT — Last fall, South Point Elementary was in the headlines due to a frightening incident, but, on Thursday, the school year began winding down with a celebration and display of appreciation for those who got the community through a difficult time. The school hosted a Heroes Day Parade, in which students and faculty thanked police and first responders. Students from each of the school's classes walked the streets surrounding campus, dressed as police, firefighter, doctors, nurses and other personnel, or wore red, white and blue outfits. They were joined by the South Point High School Band of Gold, as well as vehicles and personnel from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, the South Point Police Department, the South Point Fire Department and other first responders. Principal Bill Christian said the parade also served as a makeup of sorts for the school's annual Halloween parade, normally a popular draw. That event did not happen this year, as the school was closed for two weeks after an Oct. 24 incident, in which police were called there during the school day after a parent, seeking access to the building in a custody dispute, stabbed Christian and made his way to the school's cafeteria. Joshua Collins was found guilty of attempted murder, felonious assault, conveyance of a deadly weapon in a school safety zone, inducing panic, and seven counts of kidnapping in connection with the incident. He was sentenced last week to 39.5-45 years in prison. Christian, who fully recovered and returned to work weeks after the incident, said Thursday's parade was "just a big thank you" to all who came to the school's assistance. "We wanted to thank all the first responders who came on Oct. 24," he said. "We wanted to thank them for the quick response and all the help they gave. They helped us a lot." He also expressed thanks for the school resource officers who have been posted in South Point schools since the incident, first from the South Point Police Department, then from the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, including Cody Pennington, who carries out the main duties of that position. Christian pointed out that it is National Police Week and that Thursday was also Police Memorial Day. In addition to showing their gratitude to first responders, students in the parade showed their appreciation for another they considered a hero. One class carried a sign, reading "Bill Christian Fan Club," while several children had others thanking Christian for protecting them during the incident. The last day of the school year for students in the South Point district will be Friday. You Might Like Education Meet the Class — Haylee Dancy Education Meet the class: Logan Scott Coffman Education Meet the Class — Gracie Webb Education Meet the Class — Open Door School
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Congressman: Trump Is Revitalizing the Secret Service
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As National Police Week came and went, it's likely that few recognized the most incredible law enforcement success story of the year: the unprecedented turnaround of the United States Secret Service. In the first 100 days of President Donald Trump's second term, the Secret Service has seen its recruitment numbers skyrocket by nearly 200 percent. From January 20 to May 1 of 2024, there were approximately 7,000 applicants to the Secret Service. In the same period in 2025, that number spiked to 22,000. It seems evident that more Americans are determined to join now than ever before. What can explain that unprecedented jump in interest in the Secret Service? It's simple: The Trump administration is reaffirming its support for law enforcement at every level—and it made a sharp U-turn from President Joe Biden's priorities and policies. The Biden administration chose to focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and other bogus initiatives at the expense of merit throughout the federal government. The Trump administration is focused on excellence—and making sure nothing stands in the way of the mission. Of course, the Secret Service has always had a zero-fail objective. Yet, we saw last summer how that mission became compromised by poor leadership and resulted in President Trump nearly being assassinated—twice. The failure wasn't necessarily the fault of the agents on the ground; in fact, they acted heroically, despite glaring negligence and distraction from mission in Biden-appointed leadership. Success starts from the top down. When you have a president like Biden, who places everything other than the mission first, disaster is a question of when, not if. That was proven last July when multiple security oversights allowed a crazed gunman to take shots at President Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Only by a last-second miracle—and I do mean miracle—did President Trump turn his head and narrowly avoid the shot. As the dust settled, Americans were left asking, "who allowed this to happen?" Ultimately, disgraced Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned after bipartisan criticism for the security failure. Four agents from the Pittsburgh Field Office were reassigned or put on leave. Reports suggested President Trump had a less qualified team to protect him due to the more elite agents being assigned to First Lady Jill Biden that same day. We still don't have all the answers, but we do have some ideas. Why was there such incompetence? Again, blame the so-called leaders from the previous administration. BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Members of the U.S. Secret Service react as they lift and protect Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump after he was shot during a rally on July 13, 2024... BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA - JULY 13: Members of the U.S. Secret Service react as they lift and protect Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump after he was shot during a rally on July 13, 2024 in Butler, Pennsylvania. MoreMany critics argued that the Biden administration's focus on DEI led the Secret Service to hiring more agents based on their identity rather than their qualifications. And whistleblowers confirmed that agents had been receiving insufficient training. Once in office, President Trump and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem were determined to reverse that malaise and restore the respect the Secret Service once had. As one of his first actions back in the Oval Office, President Trump appointed Sean Curran—the head of his personal detail who was on stage with him during the Butler assassination attempt—as the new Secret Service director. Under Director Curran's leadership, the Trump administration has reassessed the Secret Service's needs, and is abandoning racial discrimination and woke ideology. Recruitment is now focusing on those whose experience will most contribute to helping the agency achieve its zero-fail mission, not fulfill some diversity quota. Once again, the Secret Service is focused on hiring the best of the best. DEI is dead at DHS and merit is being restored under President Trump and Secretary Noem. What matters is not agents' skin color, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristics; what matters is the agent's ability to accomplish the mission and commitment to live out the Secret Service's core virtues of justice, courage, loyalty, honesty, and duty. As the Trump administration reaffirms its support for law enforcement, it is also encouraging more Americans to join law enforcement than ever before. This includes the Secret Service, which last month launched a viral recruitment campaign. The video features DJ Daniel, a 13-year-old boy diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer who was made an honorary Secret Service agent. Ads like this one send a clear message: Being a member of law enforcement is not only supported, but encouraged. It's cool to be in uniform again. This shift is nothing short of monumental; confidence in this crucial agency has been restored, more Americans are determined to join than ever before, and recruitment rates nearly doubled. When we focus on the pursuit of greatness, not politics or racial discrimination, Americans flock to be a part of it. We desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The historic turnaround of the Secret Service under President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Director Curran proves it. Troy E. Nehls, a Republican, is U.S. Representative for Texas' 22nd Congressional District. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
