Holly MatkinWashington, DC – U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Officer Brian Sicknick died in the line of duty on Thursday night due to injuries he suffered while responding to riots at the U.S. Capitol one day earlier.
Officer Sicknick, 42, collapsed at his division office after he was “injured while physically engaging with protesters” at the Capitol Building on Jan. 6, the USCP said in a press release.
The department did not elaborate on the injuries he suffered, but two law enforcement officials said he was hit with a fire extinguisher as rioters stormed through the halls of Congress and lawmakers hid beneath their desks, The New York Times reported.
Officer Sicknick was rushed to a local hospital, where his family learned he had a blood clot on his brain and had been placed on a ventilator, his brother, Craig Sicknick, told the Daily Beast.
The veteran officer remained hospitalized until his death at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, according to the USCP.
“After a day of fighting for his life, he passed away a hero,” Officer Sicknick’s brother told ABC News in a statement. “I would like to thank all of his brothers and sisters in law enforcement for the incredible compassion and support they have shown my family. My family and I hope that our privacy can be respected as we grieve. Thank you.”
The DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Unit is one of several law enforcement agencies who are handling the investigation into his death, as well as the investigation into the violent events that unfolded at the Capitol Building, The New York Times reported.
One woman was fatally shot by a plainclothes USCP officer after she breached the Capitol and tried to enter the House chamber on Wednesday, CBS News reported.
At least 52 people were arrested on Wednesday night.
Over 50 MPD and USCP officers were injured while responding to various incidents associated with the mass gathering, USCP Chief Steven Sund said in a press release on Thursday.
At least one MPD officer was dragged into a crowd of rioters during the mayhem, CBS News reported.
Investigators recovered a cooler of Molotov cocktails, two pipe bombs, and six firearms as they worked to quell the chaos.
“Yesterday, our Nation watched in disbelief as a mob breached the Capitol Building and required federal and local law enforcement to help restore order,” Acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen said in a press release on Thursday afternoon.
“The Department of Justice is committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack on our Government and the rule of law face the full consequences of their actions under the law,” he said.
Officer Sicknick, a 12-and-one-half-year veteran of the department, served in the Air National Guard prior to joining the USCP in 2008, his brother told the Daily Beast.
He also served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Desert Shield, his brother said.
Officer Sicknick was most recently assigned to the USCP First Responders Unit, the agency said in the press release.
“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,” the USCP said.
Keep Capitol PO Brian Sicknick and his family in your hearts, along with his Capitol Police colleagues.
We know our Fed brothers & sisters will move mountains to bring this cop-killer to justice — along w/ every rioter who participated in this despicable attack. #FidelisAdMortem https://t.co/OaNygQgQBi
— NYC PBA (@NYCPBA) January 8, 2021
On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, our thoughts & prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick.
May he Rest In Peace, and we work tirelessly to honor his service to the Congress and our nation.
— Muriel Bowser (@MurielBowser) January 8, 2021
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family, friends and the United States Capitol Police on the loss of Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who died in the Line of Duty. May he #RIP. #FCFRD pic.twitter.com/2PgF3XmagL
— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) January 8, 2021
I am truly devastated to learn that a Capitol Police officer has died as a result of yesterday’s violence at the Capitol. My heart goes out to the officer, their family, and all of our front line law enforcement that put their lives on the line each day to protect this nation.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 8, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
