Menendez Statement on the Death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick of NJ

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez today released the following statement on the death of U.S. Capitol Police Officer and South River, N.J. native Brian Sicknick:

“I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who gave his life defending democracy and protecting the lives of hundreds of men and women—including myself and my staff—during the storming of the U.S. Capitol by violent insurgents.  His senseless murder and the deaths of four others never should have happened.

“A native of South River, Officer Sicknick represented the best of New Jersey and our country.  He dedicated his life to serving and protecting this nation.  Before joining the Capitol Police, he proudly served as a Staff Sergeant in the New Jersey Air National Guard where he displayed leadership and courage as a member of the 108th Security Force Squadron, 108th Wing, at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, and, after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Desert Shield.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to Officer Sicknick’s family, friends and loved ones, his hometown of South River, his fellow guardsmen and guardswomen, and the rest of the Capitol Police who mourn this devastating loss.

“Officer Sicknick’s death is a reminder of the risks and sacrifices men and women in law enforcement make each day and the enormous toll on their families when they do not return home at the end of the night.  The domestic terrorists who stormed the U.S. Capitol and all those responsible for inciting this seditious attack must be held accountable.”