In Honor of the United States Armed Services

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President Biden pays his respects to Brian Sicknick, the officer who died from injuries from the Capitol riot.



President Biden traveled to the Capitol on Tuesday evening to pay his respects to Brian D. Sicknick, the Capitol Police officer who died from injuries sustained during a Jan. 6 mob attack and whose remains were brought to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda.

Mr. Biden spoke with members of Mr. Sicknick’s family in the days after he was killed, according to White House officials, but his visit to the Capitol was not announced until the president’s motorcade departed the White House. Jill Biden, the first lady, joined him.

On Tuesday around 9:30 p.m., Mr. Sicknick’s remains were delivered to a silent Capitol on a cold and windy evening. Officers from Mr. Sicknick’s unit, some on mountain bikes, lined up near the steps outside. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, the majority leader, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood to the side during the arrival. His remains passed through a set of doors still shattered from the events on Jan. 6.

Mr. Biden departed the White House minutes later.

The memorial for Mr. Sicknick, who was 42, was not open to the public, but police officers and lawmakers are scheduled to be given the opportunity to pay their respects before Mr. Sicknick is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Two Capitol Police officers placed an urn containing Mr. Sicknick’s remains and an American flag on a dark gray table in the same rotunda that rioters stormed last month. His fellow officers surrounded the table, alongside lawmakers including Mr. Schumer, Ms. Pelosi and Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the Republican leader.

A private ceremony was held for Mr. Sicknick’s family.

One by one, officers saluted their former colleague before filing out.

The Bidens arrived soon after. They walked hand in hand around the center of the rotunda, stopping briefly in front of a Capitol Police flag, an American flag, and a set of wreaths on display for the ceremony. Mr. Biden could be seen shaking his head.

It is rare for people to lie in honor in the Capitol, a distinction reserved for private citizens, while government officials, like former presidents, lie in state. Congress authorized the distinction in 1998, after two Capitol Police officers were killed by a gunman. Rosa Parks, the civil rights leader, and the evangelist Rev. Billy Graham are the only other two individuals who have received the honor.

“The family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the Congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero,” his partner, Sandra Garza, and his family said in a statement. “Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing.”

At least 14 other Capitol Police officers were injured in the attack, according to a memo issued by the F.B.I., which said in January that it would investigate Mr. Sicknick’s killing. Two police officers who responded to the attack have since died by suicide.

— Katie Rogers and Hailey Fuchs

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/02/03/us/biden-administration#bidens-brian-sicknick-rotunda