On January 7, 2021, a
United States Capitol Police (USCP) officer, Brian Sicknick, died after suffering two strokes the day after he responded to the
attack on the U.S. Capitol during which he was assaulted with a chemical spray by two rioters.
[2] His cremated remains were laid in honor in the
Capitol Rotunda on February 2, 2021, before they were buried with full honors at
Arlington National Cemetery.
[3]
The
District of Columbia chief medical examiner found that Sicknick had died as the result of two strokes, classifying his death as natural
[a] and additionally commented that "all that transpired played a role in his condition",
[5][2][6] a decision which was criticized by some expert neurologists, who have stated that stress resulting from the insurrection at the Capitol may have caused the stroke.
[7] Multiple media outlets reported Sicknick's death was due to injuries he sustained, but months later the Washington, D.C. medical examiner reported there were no injuries to Sicknick.
[5] Within a day after his death, the U.S. Capitol Police and the
U.S. Justice Department each said that his death was due to injuries from the attack.
[8][9][10] Meanwhile, media, citing two anonymous law enforcement officials, incorrectly reported for weeks that Sicknick had died after being struck in the head with a
fire extinguisher during the unrest.