Biography

Aquilino Gonell (born 1979 or 1980) is a Dominican-American former sergeant of the United States Capitol Police who is known for the defending the Capitol building and its occupants during the January 6, 2021 attack. In 2022, he retired from the Capitol Police due to injuries he sustained during the attack. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2022 and the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2023. He is the author of American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy.