Uprising in Washington - Body of policeman killed on Capitol Hill to be displayed in the Rotunda

 Sylvie Claire / January 30, 2021

The casket of the police officer killed after the January 6 invasion of Capitol Hill by supporters of Donald Trump will be displayed in the Rotunda at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., an exceptional tribute, lawmakers announced Friday.

Officer Brian Sicknick, 42, was injured during physical contact with protesters who forced their way into Congress, Capitol police said. He was reportedly hit in the head with a fire extinguisher, according to sources quoted by the New York Times. The police officer returned to his quarters and collapsed. He was taken to the local hospital and died of his injuries the next day.

The death of Mr. Sicknick, who had worked for 12 years in the police force, brought the death toll in the congressional precinct to five. The U.S. Congress is united in sorrow, gratitude and solemn recognition for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement Friday. His actions during the violent insurgency against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that Congress is not diverted from its duty to the Constitution, they added. We have the great privilege of honoring Officer Sicknick with this ceremony of remembrance. The coffins of four people have been displayed in the rotunda under the Capitol dome in the past, according to the House Archives Web site: Reverend Billy Graham, civil rights figure Rosa Parks, and two other Capitol police officers, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, who were killed in a gun battle in 1998. Capitol flags were flown at half-mast in Mr. Sicknick's honour and his remains were greeted with a ceremonial hedge as he was transferred from the morgue to the funeral home.