Trump orders flags nationwide to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Capitol Police
President Trump on Sunday, Jan. 10, ordered U.S. flags flown inside and outside the United States to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Wednesday, Jan. 13, in honor of the “service and sacrifice” of the Capitol Police (USCP) and the two officers killed following the Jan. 6 protests at the Capitol.
In a statement, President Trump said, “This is a tribute to my service and sacrifice as President of the United States to Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood and all Capitol Police and law enforcement in service to this great nation. In accordance with the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States of America flown at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, on all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels, be lowered to half-staff until sunset on January 13, 2021. This order applies to Washington, D.C., and to the entire United States and its territories and property.”
“I further direct that flags be lowered to half-staff at all U.S. embassies, embassies, consulates, and other foreign facilities, including all military installations and naval vessels and base stations, for the same period of time.”
The U.S. Capitol Police Department has confirmed that Trooper Lebengood died on Jan. 9 during “off-duty hours. “He was assigned to the Senate (Security) Division and had been with the department since April 2005. Our prayers go out to his family, friends and co-workers. We ask that the privacy of his family and other USCP (United States Capitol Police) officers and their families be respected during this extremely difficult time.”
The Capitol Police Department has not yet released the cause of Lebengood’s death. The official notice says he died on Jan. 9 and not while on duty. Instead, according to Fox News, Officer Lebengurd died of suicide. It is unclear whether Lebengud’s death was related to the Jan. 6 incident.
In addition, according to USCP, Sikonik was “injured during physical contact with protesters” and died the next day (Jan. 7) at 9:30 p.m. The USCP announcement said, “He (Sikonik) returned to the department office paralyzed and (was) subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries. He died as a result of his (serious) injuries.”
Sikonick’s father said Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the family on Jan. 8 to offer their condolences. During the call, Pelosi invited the family to the Capitol to pick a spot for a plaque in Sikonick’s memory. The funeral will also be held at the Capitol, according to his father.
Senior Senate Republican Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mich.) said he “wants to find out if there’s a connection between (Sikonick) and Lebengurd’s death.”
In addition, on Jan. 6, Ashli Babbitt, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was shot and killed by a law enforcement officer from some distance away amid chaos inside the Capitol.
Mark Lomax, past president of the National Association of Strategic Officers, said video from the scene showed a lack of communication between officers. “The protesters (veterans Babbitt and others) were next to the police officers who were in contact with these people and clustered together.” “To the police, she (Babbitt) appears to be non-threatening.”
Recent Comments