January 6: Dominican Republic-born Immigrant Capitol Police Officer Dealing With Pain After Capitol Insurrection

Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell is one of the unsung heroes of the January 6 Capitol Insurrection. He also faced insulting cries from the Pro-Trump mob as he was defending the Capitol. Some of the insults came because he is an immigrant.

Sgt. Gonell was born in the Dominican Republic and earned his U.S. citizenship. When the insurrection happened, Trump supporters yelled that he was not an American, and used "immigrant" as an insult. Like all the other Capitol Police officers, he was also called a traitor.

Sgt. Aquilino Gonell Lashes Out as Politicians Remain Silent

Gonell, 43, spoke to the Associated Press during a phone interview. There, he said that he regrets that an immigrant like him is denouncing what happened while politicians born in the United States continue to remain silent.

He said added that he, an immigrant, took his oath to defend the country and the constitution more seriously than those who were born in the U.S. that did not have the courage to step forward. He implored them to say what they know and name those involved in the assault without being forced to with a subpoena.

While he was not born in the United States, he had received plenty of acclaim following his heroic actions during the January 6 Capitol Insurrections. According to ABC 4 Utah, he became one of the Capitol Police's most recognizable figures following the attack, He testified before Congress last year, and has been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. The Carnegie Corporation also honored him as a "Great Immigrant." He is also a visible presence during the January 6 Hearings.

Sgt. Gonell also said that many Republicans who see him in the Capitol often try to avoid him. They do not even greet him or thank him for his service.

The Physical and Mental Trauma of Defending the Capitol from Trump Supporters

Sgt. Gonell was one of the officers wounded during the attack. He was hit with an American flag pole and a bat. When he fell to the ground, he was dragged off by a group to be beaten while getting insulted. During his testimony before House investigators last year, he said that he could feel himself losing oxygen and thought he was going to die, as rioters tried crushing him while he was defending the Capitol entrance.

He also talked about the mental trauma he faced. He said he spent several minutes in his car thinking whether he should come to work or not. The Capitol police officer also admitted he avoids the entrance because this is where he and his fellow officers were attacked and beaten.

Following his heroic actions in defending the entrance, he passed his exam to have his promotion to lieutenant. However, doctors recommended that he retire instead, because of his injuries due to the Capitol attack. He underwent surgery on his right foot and left shoulder, and he cannot rotate that left shoulder anymore.

He was born in Guayubin, Monte Cristi in the Dominican Republic. He, along with his mother and brother, moved to New York when he was 12. In 1999, he joined the U.S. Army before being sent to Iraq in 2004. He then joined the Capitol Police Department in 2006. Finally, during the events after January 6, 2021, he would be branded a hero.

According to NBC Affiliate KXAN, over 100 other Capitol police were injured in the attack. Two officers committed suicide in the days that followed, while one other officer collapsed and died of natural causes while engaging with the rioters.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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