US Capitol cop Eugene Goodman being hailed a ‘hero’ (video, photos)

The officer, identified as Eugene Goodman, apparently had noticed that the rioters were dangerously close to the entrance of the still-opened chambers - and intentionally led them the other way.

A police officer is being hailed for his role steering an angry mob away from the Senate chambers in Wednesday's deadly storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump.

CNN's Capitol reporter Kristin Wilson also extolled Goodman for his actions in the video.

The video, taken by Huffington Post politics reporter Igor Bobic, shows Goodman diverting the mob away from the Senate chamber, which was not guarded and could have led the violent Trump supporters directly to lawmakers. "THANK YOU." Read rest of story here.

"I've talked to officers, who have done two tours in Iraq, who said this was scarier to them than their time in combat", acting D.C. Police Chief Robert Contee said.

The man in the QAnon shirt who headed the mob chasing Goodman, meanwhile, has been identified as Doug Jensen of Iowa by The Des Moines Register.

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Five people, including a police officer, died as a result of the riots.

Goodman radioed "second floor" to other officers while rushing up the stairs as the horde followed him closely.

This New York Times picture showed Officer Goodman standing in front of an angry mob blocking a doorway in front of the entrance to the Senate chamber.

Mr Goodman's standoff with the mob came just minutes before authorities were able to seal the chamber, according to reporting from the Washington Post. Neither did Capitol Police.

A spokesperson for the Capitol Police declined to specify how many officers suffered injuries but noted that the injuries sustained range from concussions to scrapes and bruises. The rioters attacked police officers, damaged property and occupied the rotunda inside the building. Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, a 12-year veteran of the force, died Thursday after he "was injured while physically engaging with protesters", the Capitol Police said in a statement.

According to CBS News, rioters indicated they meant to find House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence.