Biden honors slain Capitol officer: 'When will defies fear, that is heroism'

April 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Capitol Police officer William "Billy" Evans, who was killed during an attempted building breach this month, lay in honor Tuesday in the Capitol Rotunda.

Evans, an 18-year-veteran of the force, died April 2 when a man rammed his car into a barrier at the Capitol and attempted to attack officers with a knife. Police shot and killed the suspect, who was later identified as Noah Green.

The memorial service in the Capitol for Evans began at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on the East Front of the building and was followed by a congressional tribute. The viewing period was expected to run until 6 p.m.

President Joe Biden attended the congressional tribute late in the morning.

"The second time in two months we've had such a ceremony," he said, referring to the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick during the attack on Jan. 6.

"I buried two of my children," the president said to Evans' mother, who was in attendance. "The time is going to come when a reminder, a fragrance, a scene, a circumstance, the way his son tilts his head, is going to bring back a memory [of Billy].

"My prayer for all of you is that a day will come when you have that memory and you smile before you bring a tear to your eyes. I promise you it's going to come. It just takes a while."

Biden's son Beau died of cancer in 2015 and his young daughter Naomi died in a car accident in 1972, shortly after he'd been elected to the Senate from Delaware.

"He's still with you. He's still in your heart," Biden added.

Biden ended with a poem from Robert Ingersoll.

"When the will defies fear, when duty throws the gauntlet down to fate, when honor scorns to compromise with death -- that is heroism," he quoted.

"Billy was the best father, son, brother and friend anyone could ever hope for," Evans' family said last week. "His death has left a gaping void in our lives that will never be filled."

During House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's remarks, Biden got up from his seat and picked up a toy that Evans' daughter, Abigail Evans, dropped on the ground. He handed the Capitol replica to her, interrupting Pelosi.

"A greater compliment does no one have than the president of the United States looking after your toys," Pelosi said.

Biden also appeared to hand Evans' son, Logan Evans, a challenge coin.

The attack came about three months after the Jan. 6. attack at the Capitol by radical supporters of former President Donald Trump. That attack killed several people, including Sicknick.