US Capitol police officer dies of injuries sustained during pro-Trump riots, officials say
UNITED STATES - JANUARY 6: Trump supporters stand on the U.S. Capitol Police armored vehicle as others take over the steps of the Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, as the Congress works to certify the electoral college votes. (Photo By Bill Clark/C
WASHINGTON (FOX 5 DC) - One day after supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol building as Congress worked to count the Electoral College votes to certify president-elect Joe Biden's win, a Capitol police officer passed away due to injuries he sustained while on-duty during the riots.
In a statement released late Thursday, U.S. Capitol Police said Officer Brian D. Sicknick died at around 9:30 p.m.
READ MORE: FBI seeking information after chaos and destruction at US Capitol
Police say Sicknick was responding to the riots at the Capitol when he was injured while physically engaging with protesters. He returned to his division office and collapsed.
U.S. Capitol Police officer dies following riots
One day after supporters of President Donald Trump breached the U.S. Capitol building as Congress worked to count the Electoral College votes to certify president-elect Joe Biden's win, a Capitol police officer passed away due to injuries he sustained while on-duty during the riots.
Sicknick was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, according to police.
Sicknick joined the U.S. Capitol Police department in July 2008 and most recently served in the USCP's First Responder’s Unit.
The death of Officer Sicknick will be investigated by the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, the USCP, and their federal partners.
"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.
We ask that Officer Sicknick’s family, and other USCP officers’ and their families’ privacy be respected during this time," the statement read.
Earlier, police said several media reports of an officer's death were "not accurate." This story has been updated to reflect USCP's confirmation that an officer has indeed passed away.
On Monday, Jan. 11, Sicknick's family released the following statement to the public:
"There really aren't enough kind words in any language to describe how sweet Brian was.
He was truly a lovely, humble soul. We are missing him terribly. He was sweet natured through and through. Everyone who met him adored him. He also loved his dachshunds dearly, spoiling them, and ensuring they got the best care possible.
He loved his job with the U.S. Capitol Police, and was very passionate about it. He also had an incredible work ethic. He was very serious about showing up to work on time and refused to call out sick unless absolutely necessary.
Our loss of Brian will leave a large hole in our hearts.
The tremendous support we have received from the U.S. Capitol Police, the law enforcement community, and the community as a whole has been overwhelmingly warm and generous. We’re very grateful for everyone’s kindness during this difficult time.
We will have no further statements and will not be granting media interviews. We ask that our family’s privacy be respected during this time."