Pelosi, McConnell, and other lawmakers pay their respects to Brian Sicknick, the Capitol Police officer who was killed in pro-Trump riot

nancy pelosi, chuck schumer, mitch mcconnell
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Top Democrats and Republicans on Wednesday paid tribute to Brian Sicknick, the Capitol Police officer who died from injuries he suffered during the Capitol riot on January 6.

Congressional leaders recognized the slain police officer during a funeral service as his remains lay in the Capitol Rotunda. Sicknick becomes the fifth American to receive the distinction as a private citizen, following civil rights activist Rosa Parks, Rev. Billy Graham, and two Capitol Police officers who died in the line of duty in 1998.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Sicknick for his "heroism" after he defended the Capitol when a violent mob of former President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the building last month.

"We will never forget his sacrifice," Pelosi said.

brian sicknick funeral service capitol rotunda
A funeral service is held for Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick as he lies in honor in the Rotunda of the US Capitol February 3, 2021. Kevin Dietsch-Pool/Getty Images

Sicknick, 42, was one of five people who lost their lives in the Capitol siege. The House impeached Trump on January 13 in relation to the riot, charging him with "incitement of insurrection." The former president faces an impeachment trial in the Senate that's set to begin next week.

"That Brian and his family were made to pay such a high price for his devoted service in the Capitol was a senseless tragedy - one that we are still grappling with," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday. "Let us be a comfort to all who continue to recover from injuries, seen and unseen, from the attack."

Top Republicans Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy also paid their respects to Sicknick.

"Four weeks ago, the Rotunda was strewn with the debris of an insurrectionist mob," McConnell said. "Today, we mourn and give thanks for the true patriot who lies in the Rotunda."

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden paid tribute to Sicknick on Tuesday night, when he was brought to the Capitol Rotunda. Vice President Kamala Harris and second gentleman Doug Emhoff visited the Rotunda Wednesday morning.

A New Jersey native, Sicknick served in the state's air national guard from 1997 to 2003. He joined the Capitol Police in 2008 and had wanted to become a police officer his entire life, his family members said. Sicknick will be buried at the Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday.

Read the original article on Business Insider