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Hero Down: U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick Dies After Attack At Capitol Riot

Washington, 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.

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.

Written by
Holly Matkin

Holly is a former probation and parole officer who is married to a sheriff’s deputy. She is a regular contributor to Signature Montana magazine, and has written feature articles for Distinctly Montana magazine.

View all articles
Written by Holly Matkin

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