‘ We will never forget’

Police officer honored in place he died to protect

WASHINGTON – Leaders in Congress paid tribute to fallen U. S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who lay in honor Wednesday at the Capitol Rotunda before his internment at Arlington National Cemetery.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, DCalif., praised the 42- year- old officer as a hero for his efforts Jan. 6 to stop a proTrump mob that stormed the Capitol trying to stop the congressional counting of Electoral College votes for Joe Biden.

“Our promise to Brian’s family is that we will never forget his sacrifice. ... We will never forget,” Pelosi said during the

somber ceremony as she turned to address his relatives and friends. “With your permission, may we be worthy to carry Brian in our hearts. We will never forget.”

The tradition of lying in honor at the Capitol Rotunda as a tribute to distinguished Americans began in 1852. Historically, it has been reserved for military officers and elected officials who have “lain in state.” More recently, Congress has allowed preeminent citizens to “lie in honor.”

President Biden and first lady Jill Biden came to the Capitol Tuesday evening after the ceremonial arrival of Sicknick’s remains, which Capitol Police officers were invited to view.

The first couple stood with their hands over their hearts, then Biden reached out to touch the wooden box holding Sicknick’s remains. Biden said a prayer, made the sign of the cross and walked over to view the wreaths.

The 42- year- old officer was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher during the hourslong attack on the Capitol. He died from his injuries the next day at a hospital.

He joins two other Capitol Police officers who received the honor after dying in the line of duty: Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, were fatally shot in 1998 when an armed intruder got past a security checkpoint at the Capitol.

“The courage of these heroes brings honor, brings luster to our Constitution and to our democracy,” Pelosi said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D- N. Y., called Sicknick “a peacekeeper who loved his dogs and his girlfriend, Sandra ( Garza), and his family and the New Jersey Devils. He was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“That Brian and his family were made to pay such a high price for his devoted service in the Capitol was a senseless tragedy, one that we are still grappling with,” he said. “It has left deep scars here in this building ( and) among his friends and his colleagues.”

Sicknick was one of five people who died as a result of the riot at the Capitol. At least 140 officers in the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and the U. S. Capitol Police were injured. Two others, Jeffrey Smith of the district police and Howard Liebengood of the Capitol Police, died by suicide in the weeks after the attack.

Silence filled the rotunda as members of the Capitol Police force, National Guard and others paid their respects to Sicknick in groups or individually. Most saluted the fallen officer.

An American flag was placed next to the box holding Sicknick’s remains in front of three wreaths representing the Senate, the House and the Capitol Police.

For the ceremonial departure, dozens of police officers lined up along the East Front of the Capitol. The American flag on top of the building flew at half- staff.

Two officers carried Sicknick’s remains and the folded American flag down the Capitol stairs as bagpipes played “Amazing Grace.”

A hearse took the remains to Arlington National Cemetery with a Capitol Police escort.

After the ceremony, officers walked back into the Capitol to return to their work. Some of those standing stoically outside during Sicknick’s ceremonial departure embraced each other. Inside a Capitol entrance where lawmakers, officers and staff normally enter the building, two officers silently hugged.

Other lawmakers offered their respects to Sicknick on Wednesday morning, and Vice President Kamala Harris came with second gentleman Doug Emhoff.

They placed their hands over their hearts and put their hands on the small box in the middle of the rotunda holding Sicknick’s remains.

“That Brian and his family were made to pay such a high price for his devoted service in the Capitol was a senseless tragedy, one that we are still grappling with.”

Chuck Schumer Senate majority leader

POOL PHOTO BY KEVIN DIETSCH A memorial service is held for Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick lying in honor in the Rotunda of the U. S. Capitol on Wednesday. Sicknick died after being injured in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

POOL PHOTO BY ANNA MONEYMAKER A Capitol Police officer pays her respects to Sicknick, who was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher while struggling with the rioters who swarmed through the halls of Congress last month.

POOL PHOTO BY JIM LO SCALZO Honor guards carry the cremated remains of U. S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, who died Jan. 7, the day after being injured while protecting the Capitol from rioters. Lawmakers and fellow members of law enforcement paid their respects as Sicknick lay in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.

NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD Sicknick is one of three Capitol Police officers to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda after dying in the line of duty.