Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Biden, lawmakers honor slain Capitol officer
WASHINGTON — Slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans was lauded for his dedication to country, love for his job and for a mischievous sense of humor as President Joe Biden and congressional leaders honored him during a memorial service Tuesday.
Evans is lying in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda in a special tribute to the fallen officer. He was killed this month in an attack near the Senate side of the Capitol building, where he and another officer were manning a barricade.
Biden, looking intently upon Evans’ family as he spoke, said he didn’t know Evans personally, but he came to know people just like him growing up and that they were incapable of saying no when needed.
“He was defined by his dignity, his decency, his loyalty and his courage,” Biden said.
Evans, 41, and another officer were struck on April 2 by a car driven by Noah Green, 25, who came out of the car with a knife and was shot to death by police. Investigators believe Green had been delusional and increasingly having suicidal thoughts.
Evans’ death came just three months after a violent mob of former President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed past security barricades and attacked the Capitol, injuring dozens of Capitol Police officers. Officer Brian Sicknick died after engaging with the rioters, though officials do not yet know exactly what caused his death. Two men have been arrested and charged with assaulting him with bear spray.
Sicknick and Evans are two of only six Capitol Police officers who have been killed in the line of duty in the force’s nearly 200-year history, according to the department.