The body of Brian Sicknick, the police officer killed in the pro-Trump insurrection, will lie in honor at the Capitol he fought to defend
- The police officer who died after the January 6 Capitol insurrection will lie in honor in the Rotunda.
- Brian Sicknick died from his injuries a day after rioters hit him over the head with a fire extinguisher.
- His body will arrive at the Capitol on Tuesday and he will later be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Brian Sicknick, the police officer who died after the violent January 6 Capitol riots, will lie in honor in the Rotunda, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Friday.
Sicknick, 42, died from his injuries one day after "physically engaging with protesters" who were storming the Capitol building, police said at the time. During the struggle, Sicknick was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher.
He was one of five people to lose their lives in the violent riot, which led to hundreds of arrests and Former President Donald Trump's impeachment.
"The US Congress is united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick," Pelosi and Schumer said in a joint statement, according to the BBC.
"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," the statement said.
Only Presidents, military commanders, Justices of the Supreme Court, and Congress members are granted the honor of lying in state.
Sicknick's body will arrive at the Capitol on Tuesday.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the general public will not be able to pay their respects. There will be a viewing ceremony for members of the Capitol Police on Tuesday and a ceremony for Congress members on Wednesday. A congressional tribute will follow this.
Sicknick will then be buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
The 42-year-old served in the New Jersey Air National Guard before joining the Capitol Police in 2008. He cared for rescued Dachshunds and rooted for the New Jersey Devils hockey team in his spare time.
He is survived by his parents, Charles and Gladys Sicknick, his brothers Ken and Craig, and his longtime girlfriend, Sandra Garza.