What did Pelosi say about the police officer killed in the Capitol riots?
Brian Sicknick, the Police officer who died from the injuries he sustained during the storming of the US Capitol on 6 January will lie in honor in the building's Rotunda.
Brian D. Sicknick, the police officer who died from the injuries he sustained during the storming of the US Capitol earlier this month will lie in honor in the building's Rotunda, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday.
It is believed that Sicknick was pepper-sprayed then struck on the head with a fire extinguisher while a mob of pro-Trump supporters rampaged through the Capitol building where he was on duty on 6 January. He returned to his division office where he collapsed as a result of his injuries. Ambulance crews resuscitated him twice as he was rushed to a nearby Washington hospital where he died at 21:30 hours the following say. He was 42.
Police remember remember sweet, humble colleague
US Capitol Police paid an emotional tribute in a press release which read: “There really aren’t enough kind words in any language to describe how sweet Brian was. He truly was a lovely, humble soul. Brian’s loss will leave a large hole in our hearts”.
On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer issued a joint statement to confirm that Sicknick will lie in honor at the Rotunda in the US Capitol from Tuesday 2 February. He will be the first private citizen to lie in honor since evangelist and minister Billy Graham in February 2008. “The U.S. Congress is united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” Schumer announced on Twitter. “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.”
Traditionally, lying in state is reserved for government leaders, eminent figures or high-ranking military officers but occasionally, private citizens, who have “rendered distinguished service to the nation” are laid in honor for two to three days at the US Capitol Rotunda for the nation to pay their respects. Civil rights leader Rosa Parks and US Capitol police officers Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael Gibson are among the few who have been granted such a tribute.
Sicknick's funeral set to Wednesday
Sicknick will lie in honor from 21:30 hours on Tuesday 2 February with a private viewing for members of US Capitol Police from 22:00 hours onwards. Members of Congress can attend the viewing from 7:00 - 9:00 hours on Wednesday 3 February. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, viewing is open to invited guests only. Sicknick will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary later on Wednesday.