The father of Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick who was killed in the MAGA riot after allegedly being hit over the head with a fire extinguisher has said he hopes his son's death will bring an end to 'all the lunacy that's been going on in this country'.
Charles Sicknick, 81, spoke out three days after the violent attack on the US Capitol that claimed his son's life to say he wants some good to come out of the tragedy.
Charles told how his 42-year-old son who died while protecting the Capitol from violent Donald Trump supporters was also a Trump fan but that politics never got in the way of his 'love' for his job.
'He loved his job,' said Charles Sicknick in an interview with Reuters. 'I'll never get over this.'
Sicknick, 42, died Thursday night, a day after physically engaging the mob. As rioters overpowered Capitol police, Sicknick was pepper-sprayed and hit in the head, his father said.
Ambulance crews resuscitated him twice as he was rushed to a nearby Washington hospital. Sicknick died the next day.
'He ended up with a clot on the brain,' his father said. 'If they had operated on him, he would've become a vegetable.'
Sicknick's death is being investigated as a homicide by the Washington Metropolitan Police. The FBI is assisting. As a member of the department's First Responder's Unit, Sicknick was the sixth U.S. Capitol Police officer to die in the line of duty.
'His death was a waste,' said John Krenzel, the mayor of Sicknick's hometown in South River, New Jersey. 'It's just a tragedy.'
A GoFundMe set up by a fellow cop on behalf of Sicknick's family had raised more than $378,000 by the early hours of Sunday.
'If any good comes out of my son's death, I just hope that it stops all the lunacy that's been going on in this country,' Charles told Reuters.
Charles Sicknick, 81, spoke out three days after the violent attack on the US Capitol (pictured) that claimed his son's life to say he wants some good to come out of the tragedy
The devastated father revealed that his son was pepper-sprayed by rioters in Wednesday's assault and hit over the head by one of the thugs.
After the attack he then returned to his division office, where he collapsed.
Ambulance crews resuscitated him twice as he was rushed to a nearby Washington hospital, Charles said.
He was briefly put on life support but medics were unable to save him.
Sicknick died Thursday night in hospital, one day after the attack.
Charles said Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the family Friday to offer their condolences.
Sicknick died while protecting the Capitol from violent Donald Trump supporters. He was also a Trump fan
Pro-Trump insurgents stormed Capitol Hill on Wednesday in an attack that left nation stunned
During the call, Pelosi invited them to the Capitol to pick out a spot for a plaque that will be made in Sicknick's honor.
Funeral services will also be held at the Capitol, he said. Sicknick will then be cremated and buried at a military cemetery in Arneytown, New Jersey.
Senior Pentagon officials said Saturday they will likely grant approval for Sicknick to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery if his family wishes, after Michigan Representative Elissa Slotkin made the request.
Sicknick was a Trump supporter, his father said.
While his parents avoided talking politics with their son, his family said Sicknick's political views never interfered with his duty to protect and serve.
'He just got along real well with everybody because he was a gentleman,' said Charles.
'He loved his job. I'll never get over this.'
The heartbroken father, who turns 82 next month, added: 'I'm supposed to die first. Not my son.'
While Pence and Pelosi have contacted the family, the president appears to have remained silent - despite Sicknick being a Trump supporter and Trump being accused of inciting the violence that resulted in his death.
A GoFundMe set up by a fellow cop on behalf of Sicknick's family had raised more than $378,000 by the early hours of Sunday
Trump has also not publicly commented on the officer's death or on the other four people who died when his supporters stormed the Capitol following his 'Save America' rally where he encouraged them to 'fight'.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere released a statement Friday on behalf of Trump calling Sicknick an 'American hero'.
'Anytime a member of law enforcement dies in the line of duty it is a solemn reminder to us all that they run toward danger to maintain peace,' the statement read.
'The President and the entire Administration extend our prayers to Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick's family as we all grieve the loss of this American hero.'
John Krenzel, the mayor of Sicknick's hometown in South River, New Jersey described his death as 'a waste' and 'a tragedy.'
A murder investigation has been launched by the Washington Metropolitan Police, into Sicknick's death, with the FBI assisting
Sicknick's dad said Mike Pence and Nancy Pelosi had reached out to offer condolences. Pictured Sicknick
Sicknick's first big assignment as a police officer was working at former President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.
He had just been sworn in with the US Capitol Police Department, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Before joining the Capitol police in 2008, the New Jersey native served with the Air National Guard and was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kyrgyzstan.
A murder investigation has been launched by the Washington Metropolitan Police, into his death, with the FBI assisting.
It is unclear if authorities have identified any suspects yet or if there is any surveillance footage of the moments leading up to his death.
As a member of the department's First Responder's Unit, Sicknick was the sixth US Capitol Police officer to die in the line of duty.
Sicknick's brother Ken confirmed his death on Thursday, telling ABC7: 'After a day of fighting for his life, he passed away a hero.
'I would like to thank all of his brothers and sisters in law enforcement for the incredible compassion and support they have shown my family.
'My family and I hope that our privacy can be respected as we grieve. Thank you.'
A makeshift memorial for Sicknick near the West Front of the US Capitol Saturday
Mourners left flowers and notes in honor of the fallen officer who died in the line of duty
On Thursday night, hundreds of his colleagues lined the streets of DC to honor him as his body was taken to the morgue.
They stood in salute and flashed the sirens while he was driven past.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered flags on Capitol Hill to be lowered to half staff in honor of the fallen officer.
Pelosi said in a statement: 'On behalf of the House of Representatives, I send our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after defending the Capitol complex and protecting those who serve and work here.
'The perpetrators of Officer Sicknick's death must be brought to justice.
'The violent and deadly act of insurrection targeting the Capitol, our temple of American Democracy, and its workers was a profound tragedy and stain on our nation's history. But because of the heroism of our first responders and the determination of the Congress, we were not, and we will never be, diverted from our duty to the Constitution and the American people.
'I have ordered the flags at the Capitol lowered to half-staff in Officer Sicknick's honor. The sacrifice of Officer Sicknick reminds us of our obligation to those we serve: to protect our country from all threats foreign and domestic. May it be a comfort to Officer Sicknick's family that so many mourn with and pray for them at this sad time.'
He is survived by his parents, two older brothers, and his girlfriend of 11 years.
Capitol Hill Police salute their fallen colleague Brian Sicknick on Friday after lowering the Capitol Building flag to half-staff
Sicknick is one of five people killed in Wednesday's riot. The other four were all Trump supporters who breached the Capitol building.
Ashli Babbit, a 35-year-old Air Forcee veteran from San Diego, was shot in the chest by a Capitol police officer while she tried to climb through a window into the congressional chambers.
Roseanne Boyland, 34, was 'trampled in the Rotunda', her family told DailyMail.com Thursday after police said she had been potentially 'crushed' in the mob.
Kevin Greeson, 55, from Alabama suffered a heart attack 'in the midst of the excitement', according to his family.
Benjamin Phillips, 50, a computer programmer from Pennsylvania, died after suffering a stroke.
The nation is still reeling from Wednesday's attack as the authorities continue round up members of the violent mob, officials face questions about their failure to prevent the security breach and the federal government is more fractured than ever before.
Protesters were riled up by the president during a rally near the White House where he told them to head to Capitol Hill where lawmakers were scheduled to confirm Joe Biden's presidential victory.
Hundreds of Capitol Police cops lined the streets on Thursday night to honor their fallen colleague
A police motorcade was seen escorting US Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick on Constitution Ave Thursday night
A violent mob stormed the Capitol, breaking through police barricades and smashing windows to enter the building.
Lawmakers were forced to go into hiding for several hours as Capitol police grappled to take back control while the mob defecated in the Senate and House, invaded Nancy Pelosi's office and looted items potentially including state secrets.
Three top Capitol security officials have stood down as questions are being raised over the failure to stop the breach occurring in the first place.
Dozens have been rounded up and arrested since the attack including a QAnon supporter, a 70-year-old who brought two handguns, a rifle and 11 Molotov cocktails to the riot and a newly sworn-in West Virginia delegate.
The FBI is asking for the public's help in bringing all those responsible to justice.
Meanwhile, House Democrats will start proceedings to impeach Trump Monday charging him with 'incitement of insurrection' after he egged on his supporters and then failed to condemn the violence or tell them to leave the Capitol for hours after the violence erupted.
Twitter banned the president from its platform Friday saying in a statement that his recent tweets amounted to glorification of violence.
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