Police officer killed in Trump-inspired riot will lie in honour at Capitol
Officer Brian Sicknick died from injuries protecting halls of Congress on 6 January
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The US Capitol Police officer killed during an insurrection at the US Capitol on 6 January will lie in honour inside the building’s rotunda.
Officer Brian Sicknick joined the Capitol Police in 2008 after his six-year service in the New Jersey Air National Guard. He died on 7 January.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have confirmed his ceremony and interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
“The US Congress is united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” the Democratic leaders said in a shared statement on Friday. “The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol Police force during the violent insurrection against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that the Congress was not diverted from our duty to the Constitution. His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve.”
A ceremonial arrival is scheduled for 2 February at 9.30pm in front of the Capitol building. A viewing period will follow at 10pm for Capitol Police officers.
A viewing for members of Congress begins on Wednesday morning, followed by a congressional tribute and departure before Officer Sicknick’s interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
Officer Sicknick died after he was struck in the head with a fire extinguisher by a mob supporting former president Donald Trump’s false claims of election fraud.
Nearly 140 officers from Capitol Police and Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police Department were injured, according to Capitol Police union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou.
At least eight people who were at the Capitol on 6 January have died, including Officer Sicknick, two officers who died by suicide in the wake of the riot, a woman fatally shot by an officer, three rioters who died from medical emergencies, and a man who died by suicide following his arrest for his role in the riots.
“Lying in state” inside the Capitol Rotunda is typically reserved for government officials.
In 1998, Congress granted the use of the Rotunda for two Capitol Police officers who were fatally shot to “lie in honour”.
The last person to lie in state in the Rotunda was Georgia Congressman and civil rights advocate John Lewis, who died in 2020.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments