President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the US Capitol on Tuesday to pay their respects to Brian Sicknick, a US Capitol Police officer who was fatally injured during the January 6 uprising.
Mr Biden and the First Lady walked quickly to Sicknick’s remains and placed their right hands over the heart. Neither commented while at the Rotunda.
Sicknick’s remains arrived at the Capitol on Tuesday night in a motorcade to lie in honor. His remains were escorted from the central steps of the Capitol to the Rotunda.
His former Capitol Police colleagues attended an exhibition that began at 10 pm One by one, they approached Sicknick’s remains and saluted him. On Wednesday, members of Congress will honor the officer before he is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremonies are closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US Capitol Police via AP
“The US Congress is united in mourning, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement Friday. market. “The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol police force during the violent uprising against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that Congress was not diverted from our duty to the Constitution. His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve. “
Sicknick’s family thanked those who sent their condolences in a statement on Saturday. “Knowing that our tragedy and personal loss is shared by our nation brings hope for a cure,” said the family.
The murdered officer joined the Capitol Police in 2008, after serving in the New Jersey National Air Guard. Sicknick, 42, suffered a head injury when pro-Trump supporters attacked the Capitol, seeking to overturn the presidential election results. He passed out after returning to his division’s office and died in the hospital on January 7, officials said.
Sicknick is only the fifth private citizen to be honored at the Capitol Rotunda. Others included Capitol Police Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who were shot and killed at the Capitol in 1998; civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005; and Reverend Billy Graham in 2018.
As of Tuesday, federal prosecutors have accused at least 181 people for their alleged roles in the insurrection. Former President Trump was charged with inciting insurrection just days before leaving office. He is the first US president to face two charges.