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’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.