Capitol Hill Police Officer who protected Senate chamber up for Congressional Gold Medal

A bipartisan group of federal lawmakers are seeking to award the Congressional Gold Medal to a Capitol Hill Police officer who managed to divert rioters away from the Senate chamber during last Wednesday's riot, CNN reports.

Democratic Congressmen Charlie Crist and Emanuel Cleaver II, and Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace of South Carolina proposed legislation which would award Officer Eugene Goodman with the medal, which is given to people who have made "distinguished achievements and contributions" to the United States.

"By putting his own life on the line and successfully, single-handedly leading insurrectionists away from the floor of the Senate Chamber, Officer Eugene Goodman performed his duty to protect Congress with distinction, and by his actions, Officer Goodman left an indelible mark on American history," the lawmakers wrote in their proposal.

Goodman's actions were caught on video during the riot at the Capitol. Goodman could be seen running up a flight of stairs before he arrived close to the Senate chamber. Seeking to protect the lawmakers inside the chamber, Goodman ran the other way, diverting the rioters away.

The Senate chamber was secured a minute later.

"When he was the only thing standing between Members of Congress and the violent mob, he quickly and selflessly redirected their fury upon himself so those Members could escape," Congresswoman Mace said. "Thanks to his valor, we are here today."