Heroes Behind the Badge: Capitol Police Chief Steve Sund's Story - Part II

Heroes Behind the Badge: Capitol Police Chief Steve Sund's Story - Part II

Author: Citizens Behind the Badge February 4, 2025 Duration: 35:06
Heroes Behind the Badge
NewsCultureGovernmentSocietySociety & Culture

Former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund provides an unprecedented insider account of January 6th's security response. In this riveting episode, Chief Sund reveals the critical decisions, bureaucratic hurdles, and shocking details of how his officers defended Congress against overwhelming odds.

Key Takeaways:

  • 273 Capitol Police officers faced an estimated 30,000 protesters
  • The National Guard's response was delayed by 71 minutes due to "optics" concerns
  • Despite being vastly outnumbered, officers maintained remarkable restraint with only one shot fired
  • The Capitol was cleared within 5 hours, defying predictions of a 24-hour siege

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Episode Introduction

00:03:44 - First Signs of Trouble

00:05:15 - Pipe Bomb Discovery

00:09:50 - National Guard Response Issues

00:14:51 - Single Shot Fired

00:20:31 - How Close Were They?

00:25:01 - Political Aftermath

Resources:

• "Courage Under Fire" by Steven Sund: https://www.amazon.com/Courage-under-Fire-Outnumbered-January-ebook/dp/B0BGJRCHM2

• Citizens Behind the Badge website: https://behindbadge.org

Guest Bio:

Steven Sund served as Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police during January 6th, 2021. With 25 years of decorated service in the Metropolitan D.C. Police and expertise in critical incident management, Sund led the Capitol Police response during one of America's most challenging moments.

Connect with Us:

Dennis Collins - Citizens Behind the Badge Board Member

Bill Erfurth - Former Miami-Dade Police Lieutenant

Craig Floyd - Founder, Citizens Behind the Badge

Related Episodes:

• Episode 1: The Lead-Up to January 6th


Heroes Behind the Badge is a podcast that brings you the untold stories of America's law enforcement community, from the front lines to the final call. Guided by Craig Floyd, who spent 34 years working alongside police officers across the nation, and joined by veteran facilitator Dennis Collins and law enforcement expert Bill Erfurth, the show cuts through misconceptions and focuses on the real people behind the badge. In each episode, listeners can expect candid conversations, hard-earned insights, and powerful moments that highlight service, sacrifice, and the realities of the job. If you want to listen episodes that go beyond headlines and hear stories shaped by experience and respect, Heroes Behind the Badge by {author} offers a clear, grounded perspective on the law enforcement community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 53

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