Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, 42, was one of five individuals killed after riots turned deadly on January 6th. Following his passing, the Washington Metropolitan Police announced that they will be investigating his death as a homicide. The FBI is also assisting in the investigation.

The insurrection that led to Sicknick’s death happened shortly after President Trump gave a speech at his “Save America Rally.” Since the rally, speakers including Rudy Giuliani and President Trump have been accused of having incited the violence that ensued. In the released transcript of Trump's speech, Trump touts, "We’re going walk down to the Capitol, and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators, and congressmen and women. We’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong."

Once the riots ensued, it quickly became clear that there was not enough police presence to keep the rioters off of the Capitol grounds. Protesters stormed Capitol Hill, inundating and intimidating the outnumbered Capitol Police officers who were on the grounds. During the rioting, officer Sicknick sustained injuries that would later lead to his death.

According to the New York Times, two officers near Sicknick saw the officer get struck on the head by a fire extinguisher that was thrown at him by protestors. When Sicknick returned to his division office, his colleagues indicated that he “collapsed.” Sicknick was immediately taken to the hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. Sicknick’s father later shared that his son passed away from a blood clot in his head shortly after being put on a ventilator.

Over the weekend, a video surfaced online of protesters throwing a fire extinguisher at the head of an officer. It is unclear if the officer in the video is Sicknick; however, authorities are continuing to look at all available footage as part of their investigation.

Capitol Hill Police and Sicknick Family Share Statements

Capitol Police released a statement about Sicknick's death expressing, "The entire USCP Department expresses its deepest sympathies to Officer Sicknick's family and friends on their loss, and mourns the loss of a friend and colleague,"

Sicknick's family also shared a statement through the United States Capitol Police which read in part, "[Sicknick] loved his job with the U.S. Capitol Police, and was very passionate about it. He also had an incredible work ethic. He was very serious about showing up to work on time and refused to call out sick unless absolutely necessary."

On Sunday, a funeral procession was held in honor of Officer Sicknick near the U.S. Capitol. According to Sicknick's father, as reported by the New York Times, Speaker of the House Nanc Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence both reached out to the family to express their condolences. Pelosi also offered the family the opportunity to come to the Capitol so that they could select a location for a plaque to be established in commemoration of the fallen officer. As of Sunday evening, Sicknick's father shared that President Trump has not reached out to the family directly.

The fallen officer's brother Ken Sicknick shared with the New York Times that Brian was a "hero" and that's how he wanted him to be remembered.

Officials Raise Questions about Lack of Security

The death of officer Sicknick has raised important questions regarding how a security breach of this magnitude could have happened. More pointedly, there is public outrage at the lack of security that was available for assisting Capitol Police. The Mayor of DC, Muriel Bowser, criticized the police response and is asking for a congressional inquiry into why there was such a failure in security that day.

There are also questions about why the National Guard was not deployed earlier. Allegations are circulating among officials that President Trump had to be persuaded into finally deploying the National Guard to the area.

As the investigation delves into why there was such a lack of security, the city plans to ensure that there will not be a repeat of Wednesday's events on inauguration day. Earlier on Monday, DC Mayor Bowser asked the federal government for heightened security measures to be put in place during Biden's inauguration.

A Life of Service

Brian's impressive resume certainly highlighted his dedication to the force. Sicknick grew up in New Jersey where his life goal was to become a police officer. After graduating high school, Sicknick enlisted in the National Guard and was soon deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan. In 2008, he joined the Capitol Police, and one of his first major duties was providing security for former President Obama's inauguration.

Sicknick’s father described his son as a conservative and a Trump supporter but emphasizes that he got along with everybody regardless of their political affiliation. All those who encountered Sicknick share stories of a loving and caring individual who had a deep passion for what he did.

Sicknick is the sixth US Capitol Police officer to pass away in the line of duty since 1952. He is the youngest of three brothers and is survived by his parents Charles and Gladys Sicknick along with his girlfriend of 11 years, Sandra Garza.