Michelle Herczeg, a Secret Service officer assigned to protect Vice President Kamala Harris, was removed from her duties after getting into a brawl with her colleagues. Herczeg previously filed a $1 million gender discrimination lawsuit against the city of Dallas while working as a police officer in December 2016. She claimed she was targeted for being a female officer and treated less favorably. The lawsuit also alleged that Herczeg faced retaliation for reporting sexual harassment and other wrongdoing by Dallas police officers.
Herczeg’s erratic behavior and assault of a superior officer occurred while she was awaiting Harris’ departure from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. According to sources, Herczeg arrived at the base and began deleting apps off a male agent’s personal cell phone before displaying increasingly erratic behavior. She began mumbling to herself, hiding behind curtains, and throwing menstrual pads and other items at a colleague while telling them they were going to burn in hell and needed to listen to God. When the special agent in charge tried to remove her from the assignment, Herczeg allegedly attacked him by shoving, tackling, and punching him.
The 2016 lawsuit detailed how Herczeg was allegedly assaulted by a male superior officer in May 2015, leading to her facing intimidation tactics to prevent her from seeking criminal relief against the officer. She also claimed she was not allowed to return to a special crime reduction team after reporting the assault and was denied overtime patrol shifts, causing stress and mental anguish due to loss of payment compensation. Herczeg further alleged that the Dallas Police Department tolerated unprofessional behavior, such as fraternization and unprofessional relationships, based on a male officer being in charge regardless of rank or ability.
Despite her efforts, Herczeg’s lawsuit was dismissed by a Texas court, and her appeals were denied in both 2021 and the following year. The Morning News reported that Herczeg, an Air Force veteran, joined the Dallas Police Department in September 2008. However, Herczeg did not respond to inquiries from The Post regarding the recent incident at Joint Base Andrews involving Vice President Kamala Harris. The revelation of Herczeg’s past legal battle sheds light on the challenges she faced as a female police officer and the alleged mistreatment she endured within the department.
The details of Herczeg’s altercation with her colleagues at Joint Base Andrews highlight the extent of her behavior and the impact of her past experiences on her current actions. The incident raises questions about the handling of mental health issues among law enforcement officers and the support systems in place to address such challenges. Herczeg’s case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing gender discrimination and supporting officers who come forward with complaints of misconduct within the police force. Ultimately, the aftermath of Herczeg’s actions underscores the complexities of navigating the legal system and seeking justice in cases of discrimination and retaliation within law enforcement agencies.
