Washington Police Officer's Suicide Days After Capitol Riot Ruled A Line-Of-Duty Death

A Washington police officer's suicide days after getting injured during the riot at the U.S. Capitol last year has been ruled a death in the line of duty, District of Columbia officials said.

After a months-long fight by the Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith's wife, Washington's Police and Firefighters' Retirement and Relief Board ruled Monday that the injury sustained by the officer while working at the Capitol on Jan. 6 was "the sole and direct cause of his death" nine days later, NBC News reported.

The new ruling allows the officer's widow, Erin Smith, to receive enhanced benefits, including an annuity equal to his pay at the time of his death. The board issued an order Wednesday night to vacate the previous decision that denied her survivor's benefits, CNN reported.

Jeffrey shot himself in the head on Jan. 15 while he was driving to the office, the first day back to work after receiving treatment for the injuries and mental trauma he suffered during the riot.

Bodycam footage from the Jan.6 incident showed Jeffrey was assaulted by a mob at least twice, once inside the Capitol. He was hit in the head with a metal pole while he was outside. After the assault, Jeffrey was not his usual self, his wife said.

A former D.C. chief medical examiner later reviewed there was "a direct cause and effect relationship between the line of duty work trauma on Jan. 6 and Jeffrey Smith's death," who had "no prior history of depression, mental health issues or mental health treatment."

"This is the first time where someone who has suffered a brain injury, and an emotional injury, has been acknowledged as a line-of-duty death," David P. Weber, Jeffrey's attorney said. "This will impact widows, widowers, children, and parents of everyday heroes who have suffered these injuries in the line of duty."

Erin said the board's new ruling gives her husband the honor he truly deserved.

"He was a hero that day, we knew it all along. Now the city has stated his death was a line-of-duty death. He deserves the recognition that every other officer receives," she said.

According to reports, at least four officers, including Jeffrey, died by suicide in the months after the Capitol riot.

If you have thoughts of suicide, confidential help is available for free at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Call 1-800-273-8255. The line is available 24 hours, every day.