President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited the Capitol on Tuesday to pay their respects to Brian Sicknick, a US Capitol Police officer who mortally wounded during the uprising of January 6.
Mr. Biden and the first lady walked briefly to the remains of Sicknick and put their right hands on their hearts. Neither made any comment while in the Rotunda.
Sicknick’s remains arrived at the Capitol via motorcade on Tuesday evening to lie in honor. His remains were escorted up the steps in the center of the Capitol and into the Rotunda.
His former Capitol Police colleagues attended a viewing that started at 10 p.m. One by one they approached the remains of Sicknick and greeted them. On Wednesday, members of Congress will honor the officer before his burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremonies have been closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic.
US Capitol Police via AP
“The United States Congress is united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Friday. “The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol Police during the violent uprising against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy, and keep Congress from being distracted from our duty to the Constitution. His Sacrifice reminds us every day of our commitment to our country and the people we serve. ”
Sicknick’s family thanked those who sent their condolences in a statement on Saturday. “Knowing that our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our country gives hope for a cure,” the family said.
The murdered officer joined the Capitol Police in 2008 after serving in the New Jersey Air National Guard. Sicknick, 42, suffered a head injury when pro-Trump supporters attacked the Capitol in an attempt to reverse the presidential election results. He collapsed after returning to his ward office and died in hospital on Jan. 7, authorities said.
Sicknick is only the fifth private citizen to lie in honor of the Capitol Rotunda. Others included Capitol Police officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who were shot and murdered in the Capitol in 1998; civil rights icon Rosa Parks in 2005; and Reverend Billy Graham in 2018.
As of Tuesday, federal prosecutors have charged at least 181 people for their alleged role in the uprising. Former President Trump was impeached for incitement to insurrection just days before leaving office. He is the first US president to be impeached twice.