A Capitol Police officer wished a 'Happy Veterans Day' to all who served - except those who were involved in the Capitol attack

• A Capitol Police officer sent a sharp message to Capitol rioters in a Thursday Veterans Day tweet.
• Officer Harry Dunn wished service members a happy holiday, with one caveat.

A Capitol Police officer delivered a pointed message to Capitol rioters in his Veterans Day tweet on Thursday.

"Happy Veterans Day to all the vets of this nation!!! You are all appreciated more than you know, your dedication is the catalyst we need to make this country great," Officer Harry A. Dunn wrote to start.

"EXCEPT THOSE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION," Dunn clarified in an addendum to his tweet.

Dunn made headlines earlier this year after delivering emotional testimony about his experience during the deadly Capitol riot before the House Select Committee amid its investigation into the insurrection.

The Capitol Police officer, who is Black, said he was called the N-word during the siege and faced an onslaught of racist abuse online following the attack. Dunn told lawmakers it was the first time he was called the slur while in uniform. He said the name-calling followed his admission to a group of rioters that he had voted for President Joe Biden.

"You hear that, guys, this n----r voted for Joe Biden!" he said a woman in a pink "MAGA" shirt told the crowd. "Boo! Fucking n----r!" he said the crowd began to chant.

Dunn, who is a 13-year veteran of the force, announced earlier this week that he planned to run for head of the Capitol Police in the force's upcoming November 18 election, as first reported by Roll Call. Dunn is challenging five-year incumbent Gus Papathanasiou as the battered force looks toward the future after a year that left two officers dead following the January 6 riot and another officer dead after a car attack on Capitol premises this spring.

"Simply and quite frankly, it's time for not only a change, but a transformation," Dunn wrote in his candidate statement, reviewed by Politico. "This is a big moment that we are in, and we need to change the way the Capitol Police Union is not only viewed, but more importantly operated."

On Tuesday, Dunn quote-tweeted an announcement of his candidacy with the statement: "How much complaining can you do if you're not trying to be a part of the solution...."

The officer did not immediately return Insider's request for comment regarding his Veterans Day tweet.