US Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards is one of the witnesses testifying during Thursday’s prime-time hearing held by the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. 

According to the committee, Edwards was the first law enforcement officer injured as rioters began to charge inside the building.

Also read: Jan 6 committee chairman Thompson compares Capitol riot to slavery, KKK

“Even after suffering a traumatic brain injury, Officer Edwards patrolled the Capitol’s West Plaza and prevented many rioters from entering the Capitol building,” the select committee said.

The panel also said that she has yet to rejoin the first responders unit of the US Capitol Police because of her injuries but is expected to resume her role this year.

Also read: Rep. Scott Perry, other lawmakers sought pardons from Trump after Jan. 6: Liz Cheney

Edwards was reportedly asked by rioters, “Why are you standing in our way?” during the attack, NBC News reported, citing court documents.

The New York Times reported that 31-year-old suffered a concussion during the attack and has since experienced fainting spells because of the brain injury she received.

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But despite her injuries, Edwards has said she remembers the events of Jan. 6. well. 

“Those images, the smells, the yelling — you know, the chaos. That day was a war zone,” she told MSNBC in a 2021 interview.

Also read: Jan 6 committee chairman Thompson compares Capitol riot to slavery, KKK

Edwards is originally from Atlanta and graduated with cum laude honours from University of Georgia. She began her law enforcement career in 2017 after leaving a public relations career “to answer the call to serve.”