Solemn memorial at U.S. Capitol honors slain officer Brian Sicknick

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Members of Congress visited the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday to honor slain federal police officer Brian Sicknick, who died from a beating he received last month from a riotous mob loyal to former President Donald Trump.

Sicknick, a member of the U.S. Capitol Police, was attacked while defending the Capitol on Jan. 6 and died a day later. The pro-Trump mob stormed the building in an attempt to disrupt Congress' certification of President Joe Biden's election victory.

Senate Democratic leader Charles Schumer called Sicknick's death a "senseless" tragedy that "we are still grappling with."

The new Senate majority leader added that Sicknick's death, and those of two other officers related to the siege, have left "deep scars here in this building among his friends and colleagues."

Schumer praised Sicknick as a "peacemaker" and a "good, kind decent man" who simply found himself in the "wrong place at the wrong time" on Jan. 6.

"Our promise to Brian's family is that we will never forget his sacrifice," added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "Each day when members enter the Capitol, this temple of Democracy, we will remember his sacrifice."

After the memorial ceremony, Sicknick's remains were taken by ceremonial motorcade across the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery.

The officer's cremated remains were taken to the Capitol on Tuesday night to lie in honor, and were met by a line of Capitol Police officers at the East Front.

Inside the Rotunda, an urn containing Sicknick's remains and a folded American flag were placed on a table by two officers. A plaque read that the urn had been flown over the Capitol on Jan. 7 to honor "the distinguished life and service of officer Brian D. Sicknick."

Biden and first lady Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to the Capitol late Tuesday and stood before Sicknick's remains. Pelosi, Schumer and Republican House leader Kevin McCarthy also visited Tuesday night.

Sicknick is the fifth private citizen in history to lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda.

Civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, the Rev. Billy Graham and U.S. Capitol Police Officers Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael Gibson are the only other civilians to receive the honor upon their deaths.

"The family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen hero," Sicknick's partner, Sandra Garza, and his family said in a statement last week.

"We also wish to express our appreciation to the millions of people who have offered their support and sympathies during this difficult time. Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing."

Trump, who left office on Jan. 20, was impeached last month on a charge that he incited the mob attack and will be tried in the Senate next week. If convicted, he would almost certainly be barred from ever holding public office again.