Hero police officer killed at Capitol was an Iraq War veteran
“May it be a comfort to Officer Sicknick’s family that so many mourn with and pray for them at this sad time.” REP. NANCY PELOSI SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
Officer Brian Sicknick, mortally wounded by a fire extinguisher to the head while defending the U.S. Capitol from rioters, was an Iraq War veteran who “wanted to be a police officer his entire life,” his brother said.
Sicknick, a 42-year-old New Jersey native, passed away around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, one day after he was attacked by rioters who invaded the Capitol following an incendiary speech by President Trump.
Flags at the Capitol flew at half-staff Friday to honor Sicknick, who joined the Capitol Police in 2008. No arrests were yet made in the killing of the veteran law enforcer, who was injured in a scuffle with protesters.
Prosecutors were set to launch a federal murder investigation into his slaying.
Sicknick, a former Air National Guardsman, served in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Enduring Freedom before joining the D.C. police force, his brother told the Daily Beast.
“Many details regarding Wednesday’s events and the direct causes of Brian’s injuries remain unknown and our family asks the public and the press to respect our wishes in not making Brian’s passing a political issue,” the officer’s brother, Ken Sicknick, said in a statement he shared with the Boston Herald early Friday.
“Please honor Brian’s life and service and respect our privacy while we move forward in doing the same. Brian is a hero and that is what we would like people to remember.”
Brian Sicknick was among the first officers on the steps on Congress to take on the crowd rushing to disrupt the Electoral College vote count to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. He was outside with fellow officers seen trying to hold back the swarm of protesters.
The veteran officer collapsed Wednesday after returning to his police division office and never recovered. He had been hit in the head with a fire extinguisher during the melee.
“The sacrifice of Officer Sicknick reminds us of our obligation to those we serve: to protect our country from all threats foreign and domestic,” said Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. “May it be a comfort to Officer Sicknick’s family that so many mourn with and pray for them at this sad time.”
Sicknick, who grew up in South River, N.J., was a graduate of the Middlesex County Vocational Technical High School in neighboring East Brunswick, N.J.
He was living in Springfield, Va., at the time of his killing.
His passing brought the number of fatalities in the riot to to five, including one protester who was shot to death by Capitol Police and three other civilianss who died during the rampage.