By Katie Fitzpatrick
Plymouth Whitemarsh High School '21
United States Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick died at 9:30 pm on January 7 from injuries he sustained from engagement with Pro-Trump rioters, according to a report from the Capitol Police.
This comes after Officer Sicknick was struck in the head with a fire-extinguisher, by Pro-Trump rioters who stormed the Capitol Building on January 6, only returning to his division office to collapse. He was then taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
His death marked the fifth person to die after the Capitol storming, with multiple officers injured.
"He succumbed to injuries he suffered defending the U.S. Capitol against the violent mob who stormed it," said Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen.
Sicknick, 42, joined the USCP in July 2008, most recently serving in the First Responders. He dreamt of becoming a police officer since he was a boy, according to his family. After graduating High School in New Jersey, Sicknick served in the Air National Guard.
"Officer Sicknick shared a passion for the outdoors and became a member of the mountain bike unit with Capitol Police, patrolling the grounds daily," the DC Police Union wrote. "His fellow officers remember him as someone they could always count on to be there and also could always bring a smile or laugh to them."
His family has set up a Go-Fund-Me page, raising over $700,000 so far. There was also a funeral procession for Officer Sicknick on January 10. Many prominent politicians, including Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Michigan, have requested that Sicknick be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The U.S. Army replied in support of this statement.
The U.S. Attorney General has opened a federal probe to find the person, or people, responsible for Sicknick's death. More than 37 people have been questioned so far, with no arrests made yet.
An additional 125 people have been arrested for storming the Capitol Building, the first invasion in 206 years when British Forces invaded during the War of 1812.
There has been substantial criticism of President Trump and his cabinet following this event. Many have claimed the president incited the violence, citing his rhetoric following his presidential re-election loss and his reaction thereafter.
There have been multiple claims by the president and his party that the election was rigged and the election had been stolen from him, although there is no evidence to support this claim. Many cite these statements, along with a speech he made the day of the riot, as a call to violence from his party.
Democratic leaders introduced the Articles of Impeachment on Tuesday, January 12, with a charge of the Incitement of Insurrection. The House of Representatives of the 117th U.S. Congress voted to impeach the president the following day, with a final vote of 232-197. Four members of the House didn’t vote, and 10 Republicans joined the Democratic party.
He was the first president in history to have been impeached twice.
“This unhinged president could not be more dangerous,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said of the current situation.
If the Senate holds a trial and two-thirds majority who are present vote to convict President Trump, he will not be able to run for president again in 2024 if convicted. 17 Republicans will need to join the 50 Democrats to convict the president. It isn’t clear at this time who will remain voting for their party.
President-elect Joe Biden has called for peace and unity of the country and officially took office on January 20th.