Capitol police officer Brian D. Sicknick died Thursday night “as a result of injuries sustained on duty,” Capitol Police said in a statement. He was one of five people who died in the violence.
Sicknick was injured while in physical contact with the rioters and collapsed after returning to his division office, the statement said.
“He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries,” the Capitol Police statement said.
Prosecutors in the U.S. attorney’s office plan to open a federal murder investigation into the Sicknick’s death, a law enforcement official told CNN.
Officer Sicknick joined the USCP in July 2008 and was most recently employed in the First Aid Department.
“The entire USCP department expresses its deepest condolences to Agent Sicknick’s family and friends over their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague,” Capitol Police said.
“Brian is a hero,” says his brother
Originally from South River, New Jersey, Sicknick was the youngest of three sons, according to a statement from his brother, Ken Sicknick, on behalf of his family.
Sicknick’s family was “very proud” of his service to his country, Ken Sicknick said.
“Brian is a hero, and that’s what we want 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, Ken Sicknick said.
According to a statement from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s office, Sicknick was a sergeant of the New Jersey National Guard.
He served as a firefighter and chief of the 108th Security Force Squadron, 108th Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Murphy’s statement said.
Sicknick’s service included two deployments – one as part of Operation Southern Watch and another as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Murphy said.
“Officer Sicknick gave his life protecting the United States Capitol, and by extension our democracy, from violent insurgency,” Murphy said.
Pelosi orders that the flags of the Capitol be lowered to half staff
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she lowered the flags at the Capitol to half-staff in honor of Sicknick.
Agent Sicknick’s sacrifice reminds us of our duty to those we serve: to protect our country from all threats at home and abroad. May it be a comfort to Agent 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 Capitol Police officer Brian D. Sicknick and to extend our deepest condolences and prayers to his family, friends and fellow agents. send”.
Pence goes on to write that Sicknick was “an American hero who gave his life to defend our Capitol.”