Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick died on Thursday night “due to injuries sustained during service,” Capitol Police said in a statement. He was one of five people who died in the violence.
Sicknick was injured while physically engaging the protesters and passed out after returning to his division’s office, the statement said.
“He was taken to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries,” said the statement from the Capitol Police.
Prosecutors in the US attorney’s office plan to open a federal murder investigation into Sicknick’s death, a law enforcement official told CNN.
Officer Sicknick joined the USCP in July 2008 and, most recently, served in the Department’s First Aid Unit.
“The entire USCP Department expresses its deepest condolences to Officer Sicknick’s family and friends for his loss, and regrets the loss of a friend and colleague,” said Capitol Police.
‘Brian is a hero’, says his brother
Sicknick was originally from South River, New Jersey, and the youngest of three children, according to a statement issued by his brother, Ken Sicknick, on behalf of his family.
Sicknick’s family was “very proud” of their service to the country, said Ken Sicknick.
“Brian is a hero and that’s what we would like people to remember,” he said.
Sicknick “wanted to be a police officer all his life” and joined the New Jersey National Guard in his pursuit of that goal, said Ken Sicknick.
According to a statement from the New Jersey governor’s office, Phil Murphy, Sicknick was a sergeant in the New Jersey National Guard.
He served as a member of the fire team and leader of the 108th Security Force Squadron, 108th Wing, at Joint McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Base, said Murphy.
Sicknick’s service included two deployments – one as part of Operation Southern Watch and the other as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, said Murphy.
“Officer Sicknick gave his life protecting the United States Capitol and, by extension, our own democracy, from the violent uprising,” said Murphy.
Pelosi orders Capitol flags to be halved
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had ordered Capitol flags reduced to half mast in honor of Sicknick.
“Officer Sicknick’s sacrifice reminds us of our obligation to those we serve: protect our country from all foreign and domestic threats. Please be a comfort to Officer Sicknick’s family that so many mourn and pray for them in this sad time, “said in a statement.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted that he and the second lady were “deeply saddened to learn of the passing of US Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, and sent our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends and official colleagues “.
Pence continues to write that Sicknick was “the American hero who gave his life defending our Capitol”.