Brian Sicknick, Capitol Police Officer Who Died During Riots, Will Lie in Honor in Rotunda
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Brian Sicknick, the United States Capitol Police Officer who died during the violent riots in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, will lie in honor in the Capitol rotunda next week.
"The family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the Congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero. We also wish to express our appreciation to the millions of people who have offered their support and sympathies during this difficult time. Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing," the Sicknick family said in a statement on Saturday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the news on Friday in a joint statement.
"The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol Police force during the violent insurrection against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that the Congress was not diverted from our duty to the Constitution," the statement said. "His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve."
There will be a ceremonial arrival for Sicknick on Tuesday evening followed by a viewing period for members of the Capitol Police overnight. On Wednesday, lawmakers will be able to pay tribute to the late officer before a ceremonial departure for Arlington National Cemetery, where Sicknick will be buried.
Congress is united in grief, gratitude, and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick.
His heroism helped save lives and defend the temple of our democracy.@SpeakerPelosi and I are announcing that he will lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) January 30, 2021
RELATED: Colleague of Police Officer Killed in Riots Is 'Sick' Over His Death: 'This Was His Mission'
"On behalf of the House of Representatives and the Senate, it is our great privilege to pay tribute to Officer Sicknick with this lying-in-honor ceremony," Pelosi and Schumer said in their statement. "May this ceremony and the knowledge that so many mourn with and pray for them be a comfort to Officer Sicknick's family during this sad time."
Sicknick, 42, died at 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 from injuries he sustained "while physically engaging with protesters" at the riots, USCP said in a statement at the time.
His death marked the fifth fatality in connection to the Jan. 6 riots, during which a large group of pro-Donald Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol building as lawmakers gathered to certify Electoral College votes for President Joe Biden.
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Following his death, a colleague of Sicknick's told PEOPLE that he was a "great guy" who "believed in this country."
"He was a great guy to work with. You knew you could count on him to do his job and be right there when you needed him. He believed in this country and he believed in all of us [who worked with him]," said the colleague, who did not wish to be identified.
"It makes me sick in a way I never felt before, over what happened to Brian," the colleague added. "He was out there doing his job. He put his heart into it. This was his mission, protecting the Capitol. It makes me sick that he was there on the front lines and no protection. He wasn't at war in some faraway place. He was here at home."
