# Eugene Goodman, do you know the name? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 14, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542 "2021-01-14T18:29:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![KennyT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ce7236/32.png) [@KennyT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KennyT)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/1 "2021-01-14T18:29:31Z")
Eugene Goodman, do you know the name? Eugene Goodman: know the name, honor the man. THis undercover brother steered a mob away from the Senate Chambers–he’s a hero! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/2 "2021-01-14T18:36:18Z")
Yes, I know the name. Brave man, worth honoring. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/3 "2021-01-14T20:19:17Z")
Here’s a video of what he did, if I got the link right, with a former NYPD detective explaining some of what was remarkable about it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/QyWuw205um0/maxresdefault.jpg "Former NYPD detective examines Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman’s actions to divert rioters") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyWuw205um0) Long story short, he used extremely savy tactics to get rioters to follow him away from the Senate chamber doors, and toward an area where backup was waiting for him. There’s one bit in particular that is really remarkable, where rioters could have turned the other way and been at the chamber doors, but he very lightly pushes the guy in the lead, and then backs up, which gets the guy to follow him. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/4 "2021-01-14T22:01:25Z")
To be that clear-minded - _when facing a mob_ - remarkable. j ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/5 "2021-01-14T22:21:21Z")
When I heard this story, I was a bit skeptical, I thought this was no doubt a brave guy but maybe people were trying to read too much into what happened. Seeing the video, I was wrong - it’s so clear that this was deliberate and skilful maneuvering to make the mob think he was backing away in defense of some important target he was defending behind him. Does the cameraman - presumably another cop - deserve some credit too for the same thought process? ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/6 "2021-01-14T22:38:11Z")
A bill was introduced today to award him a Congressional Gold Medal. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/7 "2021-01-14T22:45:48Z")
When I first saw this video, I was struck by the fact that these insurrectionists are the very same people who believe black people are intellectually inferior to white people. How are they going to explain how a large group of proud white “patriots” was outwitted by a single black man? ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2021, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/8 "2021-01-14T23:14:35Z")
And he shoved that one guy, knowing that a white supremacist with a mob behind him would _never_ take that, and would give chase, right into the trap. Remarkable combination of brains and guts. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/9 "2021-01-15T05:50:53Z")
big brass ones. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/10 "2021-01-15T06:00:12Z")
I want this guy on my team. I don’t even care what my team is about to participate in, I want him on my team. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/11 "2021-01-15T06:00:54Z")
I’ve seen headlines and photos, but hadn’t read much further on what he did. Thanks for posting that video, it makes it clear what a great job he did that day. Glad to hear his heroism is being recognized. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/12 "2021-01-15T06:05:20Z")
Yes, thanks very much for the video! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/13 "2021-01-15T06:16:07Z")
A true American hero. I would feel small in his presence. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/14 "2021-01-15T09:32:09Z")
Amazingly quick-witted and clear-thinking. In his place, I’m quite sure I would run toward the people I was protecting, in order to, y’know, protect them. And in so doing, I’d get them all killed. Just incredible. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 11:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/15 "2021-01-15T11:45:46Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Does the cameraman - presumably another cop - deserve some credit too for the same thought process? The person filming was a journalist, Igor Bobic, from Huffpost, who said Goodman protected him from running into the rioters. > **[A Black officer faced down a mostly White mob at the Capitol. Meet Eugene...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/public-safety/goodman-capitol-police-video/2021/01/13/08ab3eb6-546b-11eb-a931-5b162d0d033d_story.html)** > > The Army veteran lured rioters away from the Senate chambers, friends said. Sorry that the link is to the Washington Post, but it’s where I read the story. > [@F.U.Shakespeare](#): > > And he shoved that one guy, knowing that a white supremacist with a mob behind him would _never_ take that, and would give chase, right into the trap. But he shoved him just _lightly_ enough to also not start a brawl right there. Really remarkable. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/16 "2021-01-15T17:44:37Z")
A further story in the Washington Post today says that Pence was in the Senate Chamber as those insurrectionists were headed in that direction. Pence and his wife and daughter were hustled out of the chamber and into an office about one minute before that mob reached the first landing. So Goodman’s initial actions in slowing them down may have helped keep the path clear for Pence to be moved to a more secure location. And if they’d just rushed past him, they might have run right into Pence, his family, and his Secret Service detail. > [@](#): > > About one minute after Pence was hustled out of the chamber, a group charged up the stairs to a second-floor landing in the Senate, chasing a Capitol Police officer who drew them away from the Senate. > Pence and his family had just ducked into a hideaway less than 100 feet from that landing, according to three people familiar with his whereabouts, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. If the pro-Trump mob had arrived seconds earlier, the attackers would have been in eyesight of the vice president as he was rushed across a reception hall into the office. > **[How the rioters who stormed the Capitol came dangerously close to Pence](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/pence-rioters-capitol-attack/2021/01/15/ab62e434-567c-11eb-a08b-f1381ef3d207_story.html)** > > About one minute after the vice president was hustled out of the Senate chamber and into a nearby room, members of the pro-Trump mob arrived at the top of a nearby landing. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/17 "2021-01-15T17:52:06Z")
I wonder what would have happened in that case (if the rioters were in the same room as the vice president)? I imagine the Secret Service detail would have their guns out and be willing to shoot to kill. ---
**Author:** ![jayrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@jayrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayrey)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/18 "2021-01-15T17:52:17Z")
I am so glad to finally know his name. I was terrified for this officer when I first saw the video. A Black man, apparently alone, confronted with a dangerous white mob? Initially, I thought he had been inadvertently caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now I realized how incredibly brave and clear-headed he was. And I’m with @Snowboarder_Bo, I want this man on my team, no matter what team it is. And I’d like to shake his hand and buy him dinner. Definitely a hero. ---
**Author:** ![eschrodinger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschrodinger/32/122_2.png) [@eschrodinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschrodinger)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/19 "2021-01-15T18:02:54Z")
I think almost certainly more dead insurrectionists, but possibly also more dire circumstances for Pence, depending on whether and how the mob was armed and determined to get him. I mean, if people were carrying zip ties to kidnap Pence, some of them might have been prepared to try to deal with his Secret Service protection. And we can also presume they would have been badly outnumbered. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542/20 "2021-01-15T18:06:29Z")
I imagine that as soon as the Secret Service starting pulling out the big guns and shooting the first wave of insurrectionists, most of them would have woken up to the very real danger and turned tail. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eugene-goodman-do-you-know-the-name/930542.md?page=2)