Petition to award Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman Medal of Honor passes 10k signatures

A petition to award U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman the Medal of Honor is quickly gaining traction, following the posting of a video of him single-handedly guiding part of the mob away from the Senate chamber Wednesday.

The clip shows Goodman, by himself, encountering the Capitol breachers as he radios colleagues to call for backup. In one jarring moment, viewers watch Goodman make the snap decision to lead the group to the left, away from the Senate chamber inside of which lawmakers were sheltering in place. 

The petition recognizes Goodman's swift thinking at that crucial moment.

"Inside the Senate, the evacuation was not complete," it reads. "If the rioters had breached that door, they would've found themselves face-to-face with Senate leaders. Bloodshed would have been a definite possibility.

"Instead, the rioters pursued Goodman down another hall and into a larger vestibule where Capital police backup was waiting to reinforce him. The incident was defused without harm or injury and Senate leaders were able to safely evacuate."

The petition, which has thus far racked up more than 10,000 signatures, is addressed to Senate and House leadership to recognize Goodman's bravery and fast action. 

"Officer Eugene Goodman recognized a critical moment where the lives of others were at stake," the petition continues. "He courageously risked himself to divert rioters and exemplifies the courage [and] bravery that is the hallmark of Capital law enforcement. In a very difficult time, his character shone through."