A U.S. Capitol Police officer died Thursday after sustaining injuries at the pro-Trump protest that turned violent during a joint session of Congress to certify the 2020 presidential election, bringing the death toll from the mayhem to five and launching a homicide investigation.
Brian D. Sicknick responded to the rioting Wednesday and “was injured while physically engaging with protesters.” The officer collapsed after the attack, according to the Capitol Police.
Mr. Sicknick, a member of the department’s First Responder’s Unit, was taken to a hospital where he later died.
He joined the police force in July 2008.
“The entire USCP Department expresses its deepest sympathies to Officer Sicknick’s family and friends on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague,” read a statement from a spokesperson for the Capitol Police.
Mr. Sicknick’s death will be investigated as a homicide, the Capitol Police said. The probe will be conducted by the Capitol Police, Washington’s Metropolitan Police and federal agencies.
A police motorcade was captured on social media Thursday night escorting Mr. Sicknick’s body on Constitution Avenue in Washington. Law enforcement officers lined in front of the Capitol in silence to honor their fallen colleague.
Mr. Sicknick is one of at least five people who died as a result of Wednesday’s riot.
A California Air Force veteran was shot and killed by Capitol Police as crowds overran the building and three others suffered fatal “medical emergencies”
The fallout from the insurrection includes the resignation of Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund. In a statement Thursday, Chief Sund said officers were “actively attacked” with metal pipes and other weapons.
More than 50 Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers suffered injuries during the attack.
“Several officers” were hospitalized with serious injuries, police said.
“They were determined to enter the Capitol Building by causing great damage,” Chief Sund said.
Rep. Peter Meijer, Michigan Republican, said, “It didn’t have to be this way.”
“Now five people have died, including Officer Sicknick. There are so many who should feel utterly ashamed if they were capable,” he wrote on Twitter.
In a joint statement, Democratic Reps. Tim Ryan of Ohio and House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut, said their “hearts break over the senseless death” of Mr. Sicknick.
“This tragic loss should remind all of us of the bravery of the law enforcement officers who protected us, our colleagues, Congressional staff, the press corps, and other essential workers yesterday,” the statement said. “To honor Officer Sicknick’s memory, we must ensure that the mob who attacked the People’s House and those who instigated them are held fully accountable.”
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.
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