Trending Topics

Capitol police recruit killed in car crash while in Ga. for training

Recruit Officer Christopher Katz was visiting the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynn County, Georgia, and was off-duty at the time of the accident

US-NEWS-CAPITOL-POLICE-RECRUIT-DEATH-GET

U.S. Capitol police officers gather on the east front plaza of the Capitol on Feb. 28, 2022, in Washington, DC. Security has been heightened and fencing was erected around the U.S. Capitol ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/TNS)

Justin Sullivan/TNS

By Justin Papp
CQ-Roll Call

WASHINGTON — A Capitol Police recruit died in a car crash over the weekend while in Georgia attending a training. Five other recruit officers were also injured in the accident, Capitol Police said Monday.

Recruit Officer Christopher Katz was killed in the accident, according to a joint statement from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries , D- N.Y. , and House Administration Committee ranking member Joseph D. Morelle , D- N.Y.

“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. The entire House Democratic Caucus family is praying for their swift recovery,” they said in the joint statement.

The accident happened in Glynn County, Ga. , on Saturday before 10 p.m. , according to a Capitol Police spokesperson. The recruits were in Georgia visiting the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and were off-duty at the time of the accident, police said. Georgia State Police are investigating.

The recruit officers joined the department in November, according to Capitol Police .

“We were devastated to learn that a fatal car crash in Glynn County, Georgia took the life of one of our recruit officers over the weekend,” police said in a statement.

Jeffries and Morelle said they would honor Katz’s memory when the House returns on Tuesday.

“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,” Jeffires 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.”

House Administration Chair Bryan Steil , R- Wis. , said in a statement Monday he was “saddened” to hear of Katz’s passing.

“Although the Georgia State Police continue their investigation, we know that every single day, members of the Capitol Police put themselves in the line of danger to protect this great institution and all those who work and visit here. Our prayers and sympathies are with the USCP community, these officers, and their families,” Steil said.

___

©2025 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Visit cqrollcall.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Trending
An initial pursuit by Wooster PD was abandoned after a cruiser was damaged by the suspect’s gunfire; he was later captured by the Dalton PD and Ohio State Highway Patrol
The incident escalated when the man started advancing toward two Boynton Beach PD officers, slashing the machete twice against the concrete before raising it up in the air
The future of policing is here — is your department ready to take the next step with a robot dog?
Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wriggelsworth said he was releasing the video in response to “public sentiment” and noted that deputies attempted to de-escalate