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Recently published emails by Just The News highlight how Byrd received disproportionate financial benefits compared to his colleagues. Correspondence between Byrd and US Capitol Police General Counsel Thomas DiBiase reveals Byrd received $36,000 in unrestricted retention funds, while other officers received a mere $3,000.
Byrd expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution process, claiming it was unfair to group him with others in the department. “I don’t think that’s fair to me and my wife… This was never proposed to us in this manner,” Byrd wrote to DiBiase, further stating, “This is really bad for you all to do this to us when you know we’re expecting to have the funds soon.”
In addition to monetary compensation, Byrd received significant non-financial support, including housing, training to take a department shotgun home, and extensive security upgrades to his residence. Yet, Byrd’s dissatisfaction persisted. “We play the game as you request and then once we’re in compliance, you guys change the rules on us,” he complained, noting that his wife was brought to tears by the situation.
Despite no evidence suggesting Byrd was injured on January 6, he was allowed access to a memorial fund designated for fallen or injured officers, further fueling public skepticism.
Byrd’s career has been marred by controversial incidents. In 2004, he discharged his weapon at two fleeing vans in Maryland. An investigation found no evidence supporting Byrd’s claims that the vehicles posed a threat. Instead, investigators concluded Byrd fired at the vans after they had passed him, violating the department’s use-of-force policy.
Further, in 2015, Byrd was suspended for verbally abusing a police officer during a football game, calling the officer a “piece of shit, asshole, and racist.”
Despite these incidents, Byrd was promoted and shielded from serious consequences, with multiple findings of misconduct overturned or not sustained.
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The newly uncovered emails and Byrd’s extensive history raise questions about accountability within the Capitol Police. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, has demanded answers about Byrd’s promotion and his access to benefits seemingly not extended to others in the department.
“Why is he being allocated funds from a ‘Memorial Fund’ for injured or deceased officers?” many are now asking, pointing to the lack of transparency surrounding Byrd’s treatment.
Byrd’s story underscores a growing perception of uneven justice and favoritism within the Capitol Police, leaving Americans divided over the integrity of those tasked with safeguarding the nation’s institutions.
