U.S. Capitol Police recruit dies in Georgia crash

A U.S. Capitol Police recruit was killed in a traffic crash while training in Georgia over the weekend, and several other officers were injured.

Recruit Christopher Katz died in a two-vehicle wreck that happened at about 8 p.m. Saturday on the F.J. Torras Causeway near St. Simons Island, said statements from U.S. House Democratic leaders and the Georgia State Patrol.

A Ford Escape attempting to turn left onto Marina Drive failed to yield to oncoming traffic and struck the side of a Jeep Wrangler carrying Katz and the other recruits, causing it to overturn.

Three passengers in the Jeep were ejected, the state patrol said. One of them was Katz, 22, a New York native who died hours later as a result of his injuries.

Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that a total of five officers were injured. They had joined the department in November and were completing the first part of their training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, the agency said.

“Chris was a dedicated and ambitious young man,” his family said in a statement released through the Capitol Police. “He had tremendous respect for their critical role in protecting the nation’s elected officials and institutions of democracy.”

The House honored Katz and the other recruits Tuesday with a moment of silence.

“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,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and fellow New York Rep. Joe Morelle in a statement. “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.”

Katz graduated from Temple University in 2024.

His mother, Lillian Ojeda-Katz, said her son “had so much passion for life and a strong desire to make a difference.”

The family has organized a GoFundMe to help cover expenses and support his parents.

About the Authors

Tia Mitchell

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief. In this role, she writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.