Slain Capitol Police Brian Sicknick, Of South River, Honored

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The remains of U.S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick were laid in state Tuesday, as President Joe Biden, his wife, other U.S. elected officials and members of the New Jersey State Police honored him.

Sicknick, 42, who grew up in South River, was killed in the Jan. 6 riot and attempted government takeover by pro-Trump supporters. Four other protesters died that day, including Ashli Babbit, who was fatally shot by Capitol police as she and others tried to break down windows and doors and storm the House and Senate chambers.

In the days that followed, two other Capitol police officers who responded committed suicide. Fifty police officers total were injured that day. Trump was impeached by the House for what happened on Jan. 6, as some elected officials say his speech motivated protesters to storm the Capitol.

Sicknick's cremated remains were placed in an urn next to an American flag at the Capitol Rotunda in Washington. There will be a ceremony Wednesday morning in his honor; you can watch the memorial service here: https://www.pscp.tv/w/1eaKbnlR...

"We continue to grieve and commemorate the sacrifice of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a statement Wednesday. "Today, it is our privilege to pay tribute to his service as he lies in honor in the U.S. Capitol. His courage helped save lives and defend our sacred democracy."

Sicknick was one of the many Capitol Police who physically engaged with rioters. Anonymous law enforcement officers told the New York Times at the time that rioters hit Sicknick in the head with a fire extinguisher. Rioters may have also pepper sprayed him before they hit him, said Gov. Phil Murphy.

This occurred in the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 6. Sicknick collapsed later that day back at his office and from there was taken to a Washington, D.C. hospital. He died at the hospital at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, according to Capitol Police.

Here is video from Sicknick's memorial service Wednesday:

The U.S. Attorney General has opened a federal probe to find the person, or people, responsible for Sicknick's death. However, the Attorney General has made no arrests yet.

Sicknick grew up in South River and is an Iraq War veteran. He is also a graduate of Middlesex County vo-tech schools.

Sicknick graduated from the Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School - East Brunswick campus on June 18, 1997.

From an early age, he expressed his desire to serve in law enforcement, said Middlesex County Commissioner Ronald Rios.

"During his four years, Brian was well-liked by the faculty, who described him as a fine student and a kind young man," said Rios.

After graduating from the Middlesex vo-tech school, Sicknick joined the New Jersey Air National Guard, where he was Staff Sergeant Sicknick. Sicknick deployed twice to the Middle East, first during Operation Southern Watch in 1999 and Enduring Freedom in 2003.

Sicknick joined the Capitol Hill Police in July 2008 and most recently served in the department's First Responder's Unit.

New Jersey Republican Congressman Chris Smith (NJ4) commented on the irony of Sicknick to serve in not one but two U.S. deployments abroad — only to lose his life at the hands of his fellow American citizens.

"As a member of the New Jersey National Guard, only to be killed in the line of duty defending members of Congress and staff and the Capitol building during a joint session of Congress," said Smith.

The Middlesex County Vocational and Technical School in East Brunswick said they will be planting an oak tree on the campus in Officer Sicknick's honor.

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