U.S. Capitol Officer Dies While Helping Neighbors Shovel Snow

PHOTO of U.S. Capitol Sunday courtesy of Architect of the U.S. Capitol

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WASHINGTON, DC -- A veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police died this weekend as a result of the blizzard that hit the area, according to the office of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada. The DC metro area is digging out of about 2 feet of snow that walloped the Mid-Atlantic.

Vernon Alston, 44, died while shoveling snow at his home on the eastern shore in Magnolia, Del., according to The Washington Post.

“I’m saddened to learn that the U.S. Capitol Police ‎has lost one of our own over the weekend as a result of the storm,” Reid said. “For twenty years Officer Vernon Alston ‎was a fixture on the Capitol grounds while keeping the community safe. I am always grateful for the dedication and sacrifice of the Capitol Police force and Officer Alston was an exemplar of that. My thoughts are with Officer Alston’s family during this difficult time.”

Alston suffered a heart attack, according to the Post report; he was out helping neighbors shovel snow and returned home. His wife called 9-1-1, but an ambulance had trouble getting to the home and had to be towed out of snow. He arrived at the hospital at 2 p.m., according to the Post.

“The death of Officer Alston is truly a tragic loss for the Alston family and the United States Capitol Police, which in fact is one in the same,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine said in a statement. “Officer Alston was someone who loved his job, and his loss leaves a huge void in the hearts of all of the men and women at the USCP.”