Widow of Jan. 6 officer testifies at rioter’s sentencing: “My husband died protecting democracy”

The widow of a Washington, D.C., police officer who died by suicide in the days after January 6, 2021, asked a judge on Thursday for a stiff sentence against a rioter who harassed her husband amid the mob at the U.S. Capitol.

Erin Smith, whose husband Jeff Smith suffered a traumatic brain injury and a fracture while repelling the rioters, said Dana Bell, 66, contributed to her husband’s attack.

“Because of Dana Bell, (my husband) didn’t get the chance to keep serving as a police officer,” Smith said. “At 35, instead of becoming a mother, I became a widow.”

The dramatic testimony came as a federal judge sentenced Bell to 17 months in prison for her role in the U.S. Capitol siege. Bell pleaded guilty to assaulting and resisting police.  Bell, a Texas woman who had no prior criminal history, was accused of grabbing at a police baton and accosting an officer as they tried to clear the mob from near the House Speaker’s Lobby while members of Congress attempted to escape.  

A Justice Department prosecutor said the footage recovered from Jeff Smith’s body camera captured images of Bell confronting Jeff Smith. The prosecutor said Bell can be heard telling Jeff Smith “Get a real job. … No one supports you.” In the footage, some of which was shown during Bell’s sentencing hearing Thursday, she was seen physically struggling with Jeff Smith as police attempted to clear away the crowd.

Erin Smith told the judge, “My husband died protecting democracy itself.” 

Washington, D.C., officials formally determined Jeff Smith’s death by suicide was a line-of-duty death linked to the injuries he suffered while stopping the rioters.

As Erin Smith concluded her remarks in court, Bell mouthed the words “I’m sorry” twice toward Smith.

Bell tearfully apologized in her request for leniency during the hearing.”It was my fault. It was my choice,” Bell said. 

She also apologized to the “government, the taxpayers and the law enforcement…