American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy

by Aquilino Gonell, Susan Shapiro, Jamie Raskin (Foreword)

“ American Shield is an all-American tale of duty and determination—beautifully told by an immigrant, a veteran, and a patriot.” —Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Emerita of the United States House of Representatives

Set against the extraordinary events of January 6, 2021, Aquilino Gonell’s inspirational memoir is rooted in the joys and struggles of the immigrant experience that have long defined the American experiment

Aquilino Gonell came to the United States from the Dominican Republic as a young boy. Although he spoke no English, he dedicated himself to his adopted land, striving for the American dream. Determined to be a success story, he joined the army to pay for college. He saw action in Iraq and returned home with PTSD. Believing in the promise of our government, he focused on healing himself and supporting his family. His hard work paid off when he landed a coveted position with the United States Capitol Police and rose to the rank of sergeant.

January 6, 2021, changed everything. When insurrectionists stormed the Capitol, Gonell bravely faced down the mob attempting to thwart the peaceful transfer of power. The brutal injuries he sustained that day would end his career in law enforcement. But when some of the very people he put his life on the line to protect downplayed or denied the truth of that day, he chose to speak out against the injustice done to him and the country. Chronicling what it means to live a life of conviction, one that adheres to the best ideas of our democracy, American Shield is a bold testament to the power of truth, justice, and accountability from a highly decorated officer and immigrant who exemplifies the greatest aspirations of a grateful nation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Politics, Biography Memoir, History

256 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2023

Reviews

[Kimberly Basso · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to adequately describe the importance of a memoir like Gonell’s, as a veteran of the US military he was a hero before the events of January 6, 2021, and his experiences that day are incredible. It was so much worse than any of us saw, even if you were glued to the television. That the very people the Capitol officers protected would then turn around and pretend it was “peaceful protest” is despicable. Gonell sustained injuries that ultimately ended his career as a Capitol police officer (though he was at work the very next day, with those injuries). We are fortunate to have had him and the other officers there that day. American Shield is a quick read that should be on everyone’s list. It goes without saying that there are scenes of extreme violence.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sergeant Gonell shares the story of his life, and more importantly, the truth of his experience as a Capitol Police officer tasked with protecting the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. His honest and direct accounting of his life as a young immigrant to the US was inspiring as was his military service in Iraq. However, his heroism and patriotism was more fully on display when he fought insurrectionists to protect our country. He is a brave man who did his job well, sustaining injuries that forced him to end his career with the Capitol police. He took great personal risk in speaking out about the insurrection when political leaders tried to label the horrific events as "peaceful protests." He is a truthful man and a hero.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much more from this memoir than I ever expected. I appreciate that Sergeant Gönell shared so much of his early life as a new immigrant from the Dominican Republic(DR). I got to know his family and their struggles to make a home in Brooklyn. Consistently I felt right there with him with vivid descriptions of his determination to complete college which led him to a tour of duty in Iraq. Drawn to police work, he eventually earned the highest test results and a job as a Capitol Police Sergeant. Still looking over his shoulder I was riveted by his telling his personal account of the violent insurrection on Jan. 6. I learned of his tremendous courage in the face of being beaten and chemically burnt to protect the transfer of the Presidency to Joe Biden. That he had to give up a career he loved because of a President bent on remaining in power almost brought him down. But he fought back by speaking out and testifying in countless hearings and FBI investigators. This book is a testament looking evil in the eye and doing what is honorable and right without regret.

[Cathryn Conroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This was worse than Iraq."

U.S. Capitol Police Sergeant Aquilino Gonell is referring to the deadly insurrectionists who invaded the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 at the urging of President Donald Trump, who was desperately trying to overturn the election before Congress could certify Joseph Biden as the winner.

This is Aquilino Gonell's story—not only what really happened on that horrific day and two years after, but also his life story leading up to it. Gonell is an immigrant, a naturalized American citizen who bravely fought in active combat duty in the U.S. Army in Iraq before becoming a Capitol Police officer, a position he held for 16 years until he was forced to retire in December 2022 due to the permanent injuries he sustained on January 6, 2021.

But beware before reading this incredible book: It could get you riled up, filled with anger and rage at what happened on January 6 and the whitewash of historical facts since then. These were no peaceful tourists. And, along with others who fought that day beside him, Gonell has the physical and psychological wounds to prove it.

I first learned about Gonell's book when he was a featured author at the 2024 Gaithersburg (Maryland) Book Festival. I was riveted by his words, his story, his innate courage. Born in the Dominican Republic, Gonell never had an easy life. When he was a small child, his father abandoned his mother and left for the United States. Although they had a wide extended family support group in the Dominican, Aquilino and his brother Tony grew up poor. When he was 12, Aquilino's dad showed up again, wooing his mother and convincing her to move to the United States where the four of them could be a family. They lived in Crown Heights, a rough neighborhood in Brooklyn. Aquilino struggled to learn English and because of his lack of language skills, he didn't do well in school. It took years, but a kind teacher eventually noticed him and took him under her wing, tutoring him in English. She arranged for him to participate in a field trip to Washington, D.C. On a tour of the U.S. Capitol, a U.S. Capitol Police officer was especially nice to him, and Aquilino wondered if he could ever work in that job.

This is a classic story of a kid who is denied almost everything but somehow getting ahead and making it. It's inspiring. And then suddenly this proud American is put in the untenable position of having to defend our elected congressional representatives and senators from their own people. It's a book about what happened on the front lines told by someone who was there, fighting for our country in a way we never before imagined.

Consider this: On that day, there were 100,000 rioters and only 417 Capitol Police officers were on duty. Even after 850 Metropolitan Police (Washington, D.C. police officers) reinforcements arrived, they were still vastly outnumbered.

"American Shield" is a book filled with truth and wisdom written by someone who embodies patriotism, honesty, integrity, compassion, courage, and responsibility. This book is a must-read for all Americans.

[Gail Weston · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Shield by Aquilino Gonell is a fascinating biography of a man who came to the United States to start a new life. A story of immigration, bravery, determination and standing up for what is right! Thank you for protecting our country.

[Betty Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author documents his experience during the capital insurrection of January 2021. Horrific events, brutality, betrayal, abandonment, and betrayal are clearly documented. The bravery of this small group of police is worth our admiration. To administer first aid to an injured protester while being beaten with metal bars defies reason. And as a result of this brave action the author was permanently disabled. And this is just one of the events documented

[Mary Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

American Shield is a story about an immigrant who became a citizen. He protected our country in Iraq, was in New York for 9/11, and protected our democracy on 1/6. The story starts telling of his younger years, progressing through his life experiences past 1/6. The story starts slow, but becomes more interesting as he becomes an adult. This book has political opinions expressed through his experiences. It is a fast read and gives account for the insurrections on 1/6. Good insight.

[Wendy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Capitol police officer Sergeant Aquilino Gonell’s “American Shield: The Immigrant Sergeant Who Defended Democracy” is a first-hand, straightforward account of the horrors he and fellow officers experienced January 6 holding the line and battling MAGA insurrectionists, incited by Trump, whose goal was to stop the transfer of power.

The book begins by tracing Gonell’s life in the Dominican Republican, his family’s move to Brooklyn as a teen, working several jobs, attending college, serving in Iraq as an Army soldier, becoming a U.S. Citizen, and joining the Capitol Police. His life at home as a youth was not idyllic. I admire his hard work, tenacity and resiliency to make something of his life despite the roadblocks and hardships he encountered along the way. You really get to know him. That’s what makes what happened to him Jan. 6 so heartbreaking.

Sgt. Gonell describes in disturbing detail what it was like being on the front line of defending the Capitol from the mob. The police were outnumbered and overwhelmed. Insurrectionists kicked, punched, and stabbed officers. They threw full cans of sodas, fire extinguishers and poles at the police and pointed lasers at them to blind them. Not only did the officers defend the Capitol and the lives inside, they fought for their own lives, even knowing that they were abandoned and outnumbered. “Four hours of bloodshed”, is Gonell’s description about that insurrection. His injuries were so bad he could no longer perform his duties and retired on disability.

What was sickening to read is that there were warnings of the impending violence 3 days before, which was never communicated to him or his supervisor. What is clear to Sgt. Gonell is that the top brass didn’t lift a finger to better guard the Capitol as they are pro-Trump. This conclusion matches D.C. Metro Police officer Michael Fanone’s summation.

Gonell’s anger at and disappointment by the Republican Senators who didn’t vote to convict Trump on the charge of inciting the insurrection is warranted. “What had I risked my life for?” writes a shattered Gonell, feeling betrayed by them.

I applaud Sgt. Gonell for writing his account of Jan. 6, his tough road healing physically and mentally from the insurrection, and speaking up publicly about it, especially during the hearings. I hope he continues to do this as his truth matters. I thank him for bravely holding the line horrible day.

[Karen Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book! This voice! I was enthralled by this American hero's story of immigrating to the US from the Dominican Republic. Aquilino Gonell was living with his mother, brother, and grandparents on their hard-scrabble farm in the Caribbean until he was twelve. Quilo's parents hadn't lived together since his birth, and his dad drove a cab and lived in Brooklyn. After years of saving Quilo's dad finally moved his mom and brother to New York, but Quilo had to stay behind. He thought he had been abandoned, but months later his dad sent for him and he flew solo to the United States. He struggled in school and his family was never in a position to help him. Quilo's dad got shot just days after Quilo arrived in Brooklyn, and his mom was trying to bridge the gap with home cooking that Quilo would sell on the street or to bodegas.

A good life seemed out of reach for this family and the military ended up being the only way Quilo could stay in college after his first semester. Despite being lied to by his Army recruiter, Quilo patched together his degree after serving for a year in Afghanistan.

Fast forward to sixteen years. As a police officer, Sergeant Gonell is on duty during the January 6th insurrection as a Capitol Police Force worker in DC. He tells the story of that day blow by blow. It is heart wrenching, because by this point in the book I was pulling for this guy who had had so much bad luck in life. I was so impressed with this kid who had been exposed to burn pits overseas, but who was still willing to finish school and become a law enforcement officer. He gets injured on J6 so badly that he can't do his regular job. He has to file for disability and turn in his weapon and eventually his uniform. Unlike others on the force, though, he tells his story and continues to defend the Constitution testifying to Congress about his experience that day.

Every citizen must read this book. It is told humbly and with a level of kindness and detail that won me over. Please buy this man's book. He deserves all of our support. He and a few other Capitol Police and DC Metro officers held off a coup in our nation's sacred halls of Congress. This account of one man's life before, during and after this horrific day is one that will stay with me for a long time, possibly forever.

Several pages of color photos enrich the book, and co-author Susan Shapiro was given plenty of credit in acknowledgements from Gonell.

[Polly Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible story of a young immigrant from the Dominican Republic who fights to make the U.S. his home. Arriving as a boy, poverty, crime, a language barrier and family troubles stand in his way, but he is determined to make the most of what America has to offer. He graduates high school and has dreams of going to college but joins the Army and gets deployed to Iraq where he faces the gruesome horrors of war. He gets out alive, returns to the States as a sergeant, graduates from college and enlists in the U.S. Capitol Police force. For 17 years he keeps the Capitol building and the lawmakers inside it safe. He thought January 6th, 2021 was going to be like any other day protecting the Capitol.

Gonell was forced to retire due to the serious injuries he sustained fighting the insurrection that day. But the worst injury was to his psyche, suffering moral injury. How could he return to work protecting people he risked his life for when many of then in turn say nothing much happened that day--just some unruly tourists and disgruntled Americans exercising their First Amendment rights.

Writer Susan Shapiro does an incredible job capturing the voice of Gonell in this gripping story about the truth of what happened Januay 6th, 2021.

[Gayle Cappelluti · Rating 5 out of 5]

American Shield tells the back story of Sargeant Aquilino Gonell, an American hero who came from very humble beginnings to emerge as a brave American hero who protected the Capitol on January 6, 2021. It is an inspirational story of a young boy who comes to this country from the Dominican Republic, speaking no English, struggling to assimilate, having great difficulties in school, but with immense grit and determination to succeed, to help his family, Gonell enlists immediately upon graduating from High School and carves out a successful life of service to his new country. From fighting for this country in Iraq, to protecting the U.S. Capitol for more than 15 years, Sergeant Gonell has proven his commitment and patriotism, in spades, yet there he was, fighting for his life on Jan.6 in what he called a medieval battle, being called a traitor by the Maga mob trying to stop the certification of the 2020 election.
I didn't know anything about this formidable gentleman before the Insurrection. What I know about him now only fills me with the greatest admiration. He may have lost his career, but he has gained the respect of millions of Americans.

[Mary Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

He did an interview on NPR a few weeks ago and I put the audio version of his life's story on hold and then checked his memoir in book form from the library.

Sgt Gonell has had an amazing life and family. I respect him a lot and feel it's unfair that he and the other guards were treated so brutally. He's had a lot of experience and training (Iraq plus many years as a capital policeman), which probably helped him to deal with the miscreants who followed DT's orders to invade our capitol bldg.

I just worry that if the election has a tragic outcome and DT pardons his criminal followers, many decent people like Sgt Gonell will be in jeopardy from these criminals released from prison.

Don't miss the photos of his injuries caused by the so-called "tourists" AKA illegal invaders.

223 pages

[Kathy MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I listened to Sergeant Aquilino Gonell speak with co-author Susan Shapiro at a recent book event, I knew I was sitting before a great man, despite his humble demeanor. In AMERICAN SHIELD, he tells the story of a hard-working immigrant who served our country in Iraq, dedicated his life to law enforcement, and suffered debilitating and life-altering beatings from the January 6 insurrectionists. The irony of an immigrant defending the nation against US citizens attacking democracy is not lost on the reader. It is clear Sergeant Gonell is speaking up out of a duty to protect the country and counter the misinformation and lies that have been told in the aftermath of that shameful day. With vivid detail, the co-authors brought me into Sergeant Gonell's world and into inner workings of his mind as he acted and made decisions throughout his life. He is a model US citizen.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second book about the January 6th riots at our nation's capital. I appreciate Sergeant Gonell sharing his personal story of immigration and work to acclimate to our military and culture. I am deeply saddened he has injuries likely to affect him for many years from the rioters on that tragic day. It saddens me more to learn few have stepped up to be accurate about the level of violence meted out against the Capital Police and the lack of pursuit of justice to anyone involved in organizing and leading the rioters. Some have prison sentences but not all. This man has tremendous courage and dedication to preserving freedom. He deserves the best of care and respect from anyone who cherishes our freedoms.

[Rubin Issac · Rating 4 out of 5]

A more politically outspoken patient gave me this to read and though it isn’t my normal preference I told him I would read it & get it back to him asap. I thought it was pretty engaging, a coming of age story of an immigrant family working hard to “make it” in the US & all the messiness that comes with people in hard situations is somewhat relatable to me though I was born in the states in a safe neighborhood. The final act is about his experience holding the line during the January insurrection which shed light on the political jockeying and narrative control that was the aftermath of it all. His anger is understandable and palpable. Very easy read and I thought written well, impressed by his team’s ability to recreate his upbringing through key memories.

4 salutes /5

[Kate Walter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down. American Shield is the compelling story of an American
hero, a patriot who risked his life defending the Capitol on January 6. Sergeant Gonell was an immigrant who served in Iraq and then became a Capitol Police Officer. He loved his job
but he was so severely injured by the mob who attacked the Capitol that he had to retire at 42.
This is his story from the time he arrived in NYC from the Dominican Republic at age 12 until he had to hand in his badge, and go on disability. Every American should read this before the next election.

[Kim Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

After seeing this author and book featured on PBS Evening News, I asked my library to buy it and they did. This quick-read memoir was hard to put down. Gonell's story is both inspiring and heartbreaking: I admire his climb from impoverished immigrant boy to a member of the U.S. army to college grad to citizen to U.S. Capitol Police. What what happened to him as a result of the Jan. 6 insurrection is so hard to read . . . but needs to be read and told. His views of certain politicians are explicit, but no wonder. I highly recommend.

[Jacqueline Kawate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am surprised at how much I liked this book. The first half of the book covers Sgt. Gonell’s life in the Dominican Republic, his immigration to New York at age 9, and the struggles he and his dysfunctional family endured while trying to survive and assimilate. The second half of the book covers his enlistment in the military, his tour of duty in Iraq, and his job as a Capitol police officer on January 6 and after. It’s just a very interesting story from a true American patriot.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally it takes me a while to become invested in a story line, but I was invested in this story right off the bat. So well written and love having background on how he became a capital police officer. I also couldn’t believe how people were denying or ignoring that January 6th was such a disgrace to our democracy. I commend all who spoke out and put their lives on the line during and after such an awful event.

[Anna Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give a copy of this book to every American. Gonnell has given so much to this country for part of the country to turn its back on him. For people who support J6, I beg them to particularly pay attention to the second half of this book….but equally important is the first half where he details his story as an immigrant giving so much for so little in return. He is what America needs more of, not less.

[PATRICIA TAVAREZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to your entire book today. What a powerful and emotional life story. I cried during entire book. You are an inspiration and I thank you for being brave in sharing your life with us. I pray you continue to heal. Que Dios te bendiga grandemente.

[Daniele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt and Honest

This autobiography of an immigrant and public servant holds nothing back. Following the journey from his childhood on, you feel as if you’re right there. Well written and easy to read.

[Lisa Horner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is an immigrant who joined the Army, served in Iraq after 9/11, and was one of the Capitol Police officers on the frontlines defending the Capitol on January 6, 2021. His story needed to be told, and all Americans should read it.

[Sandra Armor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely outstanding memoir. A must read.

My copy was from the library, but I will definitely be buying a copy for my shelf. It will sit beside Harry Dunn’s and Michael Fanone’s also outstanding memoirs.

[Backoff51 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very fine book by one of the police officers that defended the U. S. capitol om January 6, 2021.

Sargent Aquilino Gonell suffered greatly on this date that trump still describes as a friendly visit from American patriots.

He and his fellow officers deserve much better than we have provided.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly and interesting story from start to finish.

[Sean Hallissey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great American!

Sgt. Gonell is a great American patriot and deserves all the respect possible from his fellow Americans. Thank you, Officer Gonell!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest and raw, a proud man exposing his deepest feelings and most devastating experiences beause he thinks he must for the good of the country he loves.

[Maggie Mattmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important perspective and experience of Jan 6! (And his story/experiences before and after as well- super important.)

[Robert Hoffenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. He really overcame a lot. Seems like he is a first class human being.