Wills’ tribute to cop who died after Capitol riots
PRINCE William sent a moving letter to the partner of a police officer who died after being assaulted during the Capitol riots last year.
The Duke of Cambridge wrote to Sandra Garza, the girlfriend of Brian Sicknick, 42, following his death after the January 6 insurrection.
Sicknick was one of the on-duty officers outnumbered by thousands of Trump fans. He was sprayed with a chemical and collapsed a day later. He suffered a stroke and died.
In the letter, Prince William, 39, wrote: “Please forgive me if I am intruding but I wanted to write and let you know how sorry I am about the death of your partner, Brian.”
The Duke told how he wanted to pay tribute to Sicknick’s “patriotism and selflessness”. He added: “By all accounts,
Brian performed valiantly whilst on duty and despite suffering injuries continued to do his utmost to protect those inside.”
William said he hoped it gave Garza some small comfort to know that “thanks to law enforcement officers like Brian... democracy was upheld”.
In revealing the letter to CNN, Garza told how former President Donald Trump had not sent her a message of condolence. She said: “Trump does not give two c***s about law enforcement or Brian and yet Prince William took the time to honour me and Brian,” adding: “He’s just a beautiful, wonderful person.”
The letter, dated September 2021, did not reach Garza until recently.
Two other officers took their lives in the days after the riots, and more than 150 police officers were hurt.
The US House Select Committee hearings on the riots are ongoing.