A ‘hero’ Capitol Police officer has died after allegedly being struck on the head with a fire extinguisher during yesterday’s violent confrontations between cops and supporters of President Donald Trump.
Officer Brian D Sicknick
Officer Brian D Sicknick collapsed in his division office on Wednesday and was hospitalized on life support before passing away at about 9.30pm Thursday, USCP said in a statement.
The force’s union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou told WUSA9 that Sicknick suffered a stroke during the riots while the New York Times reported that he was also hit by the fire extinguisher. Another official told the Times a chemical agent may have led to his injuries.
USCP said only that Sicknick was ‘injured while physically engaging with protesters’, adding that its Homicide Branch was investigating his death.
It is not known where in the Capitol Sicknick was stationed as hundreds of Trump loyalists violently forced their way into the building in a bid to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory.
His brother told ABC7: ‘After a day of fighting for his life, he passed away a hero. 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.’
Sicknick, who was in his 40s, had been with USCP since 2008. He most recently served in the first responder unit.
Roseanne Boyland, 34, died. She was ‘trampled in the Rotunda’
His death is the fifth to be linked to the chaos. Protester Ashli Babbit, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran, was named Wednesday as the first casualty after being shot dead by an officer.
Ashli Babbit
The three other Trump fanatics who died were named Thursday as Benjamin Phillips, 50; Kevin Greeson, 55; and Roseanne Boyland, 34.
More than 50 police officers were also injured in clashes with protesters.