Capitol Police officer who responded to attack has died
A Capitol Police officer has died days after responding to Wednesday's assault on the building, the Capitol Police confirmed Sunday to CBS News. Capitol Police said Officer Howard Liebengood died off-duty.
Barry Pollack, an attorney for the Liebengood family, confirmed Liebengood died by suicide after having been on-duty at the Capitol on Wednesday.
"His death is a tragedy that has deprived all of us a dedicated public servant," Pollack said in a statement. "His family has suffered a devastating loss and asks that they be given space to grieve in private."
Capitol Police said in a statement that Liebengood, 51, served on the Senate side. He had been with the Capitol Police department since April 2005. The police union chairman called it a "tragic day."
"We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood. Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP," Capitol Police union chairman Gus Papathanasiou said in a statement.
Liebengood's father, Howard Liebengood Sr., served as the Senate sergeant-at-arms from 1981 until 1983.
Other tributes poured in Sunday, including from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Tim Kaine and former Secretary of State John Kerry.
The White House issued a proclamation lowering the flag to half staff on Sunday honoring both Liebengood and Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died Thursday as a result of injuries sustained at the Capitol.
A mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol on Wednesday, eventually reaching the House and Senate floors. One of the rioters was shot and killed by Capitol Police, and three other rioters died as a result of medical emergencies, police said.
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