President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday to pay tribute to Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol police officer mortally wounded during the January 6 insurrection.
Mr. Biden and the first lady briefly approached Sicknick’s remains and placed their right hands on the heart. Neither made observations while he was at the roundabout.
Sicknick’s remains arrived at the Capitol Tuesday night via roads to lie in honor. His remains were escorted down the central steps of the Capitol to the roundabout.
His former Capitol Police comrades attended a session starting at 10 p.m. One by one, they approached Sicknick’s remains and greeted him. On Wednesday, members of Congress will honor the officer before he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremonies are closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Capitol Police via AP
“The U.S. Congress is united in the pain, gratitude, and solemn gratitude for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the leader of the House said in a statement Friday. most of the Senate, Chuck Schumer. “The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol police during the violent uprising against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy, and ensure that Congress is not diverted from our duty toward the Constitution. His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve. “
Sicknick’s family thanked those who sent their condolences Saturday in a statement. “Knowing our tragedy and personal loss is shared by our nation, it brings hope of healing,” the family said.
The deceased officer joined Capitol police in 2008 after serving in the New Jersey National Air Guard. Sicknick, 42, suffered a head injury when pro-Trump supporters attacked the Capitol, trying to overthrow the results of the presidential election. He collapsed after returning to his division office and died at the hospital on Jan. 7, authorities said.
Sicknick is only the fifth private citizen to lie in honor of the Capitol Roundabout. Among them were Capitol police officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who were shot dead at the Capitol in 1998; civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005; and the Rev. Billy Graham in 2018.
Since Tuesday, federal prosecutors have charged at least 181 people for their alleged roles in the insurgency. Former President Trump was accused of inciting insurrection a few days before he left office. He is the first president of the United States to be indicted twice.