US Capitol Police Recruit Killed in Georgia Car Crash

WASHINGTON — A U.S. Capitol Police recruit died in a fatal car accident in Georgia over the weekend that left several other recruits with serious injuries.

Though details are sparse, word of the accident began to spread on the Hill Monday morning after House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and Rep. Joe Morelle, D-N.Y., ranking member of the Committee on House Administration, announced plans to honor the memory of the late recruit, identified as Christopher Katz, when lawmakers return to the chamber on Tuesday.

“Our prayers are with his family,” the lawmakers said of Katz.

“It is a tragic day with the news that several USCP recruits were involved in that fatal accident while in Georgia and are dealing with serious injuries,” Jeffries and Morelle continued. “The entire House Democratic Caucus family is praying for their swift recovery.”

In a statement provided to The Well News, the U.S. Capitol Police confirmed that the accident occurred just before 10 p.m. on Saturday in Glynn County, Georgia.

“We are devastated to learn that a fatal car crash … took the life of one of our recruit officers over the weekend. Five other recruit officers who were also in the car were injured,” the department said.

The crash occurred while the recruits, all of whom joined the department in November, were off duty during their time at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia. 

The statement said an investigation by the Georgia State Police is ongoing and that the department has made wellness resources available for all of its employees.

“Each and every day, the Capitol Police put their lives on the line to ensure that the United States Congress, the crown jewel of representative Democracy, can safely do the people’s work,” Jeffries and Morelle said.

“It is with admiration and gratitude for the life and death work of the USCP that we pray for the loved ones of Recruit Officer Katz and all of those reeling from this tragedy,” they said.

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