Brian Sicknick: Biden pays tribute to the Capitol Police officer who is paying tribute to the Capitol

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday that Sicknick would be honored under the historic umbrella. The ceremonial arrival began at 9:30 pm ET on Tuesday on the Eastern Front of the Capitol, and a screening period began at 10:00 pm for members of the US Capitol Police and continues through the night.

Lying in the state is usually reserved for US government leaders, but two US Capitol Police officers shot dead in 1998 were the first private citizens to lie in honor on Capitol Hill.

Sicknick’s family issued a statement on Saturday thanking “the leadership of Congress for bestowing this historic honor on our dead American hero”.

“We also wish to express our gratitude to the millions of people who offered their support and solidarity during this difficult time. Knowing that our tragedy and personal loss is shared by our nation brings hope for a cure,” the statement said.

Several lawmakers asked that Sicknick be honored at the Capitol, and two Republicans from South Carolina introduced a bill that would allow him to lie in the Rotunda before his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

Sicknick, a New Jersey native who served in the National Guard, died the day after the riot “due to injuries sustained while on duty,” Capitol Police said in a statement at the time. He was one of five people who died in the violence.
In the days following his death, Pelosi and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy each also arranged for flags to be raised at half-mast in honor of Sicknick.

Sicknick’s ceremonial rest on the Capitol comes as investigators are struggling to build a federal murder case, irritated by the lack of evidence to prove that someone caused his death while he defended Capitol during last month’s insurrection.

Authorities have analyzed videos and photographs showing Sicknick getting involved with protesters during the siege, but have not yet identified a time when he suffered his fatal injuries, police officials familiar with the matter said.

Shortly after Sicknick died on January 7, prosecutors in Washington opened a federal murder investigation, dedicating a team from the US attorney’s office to set up a case, officials said.

Sicknick was not the only Capitol cop who responded and died after the riot. Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Robert J. Contee told the House Appropriations Committee last week that two policemen have died of suicide since they responded to the Capitol riot on January 6, according to Contee’s opening statement. before the committee, obtained by CNN.

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