A Capitol police officer who responded to the riot among supporters of President Donald Trump in Washington, DC last week, died on duty Saturday, U.S. Capitol police confirmed.
Officer Howard Liebengood, 51, was part of the reaction when the pro-Trump mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building, according to a statement Sunday from his police union. Liebengood, who joined the USCP in 2005, died while not serving and his cause of death was not disclosed.
“We are working on the death of Officer Liebengood,” union president Gus Papathanasiou said on Sunday. ‘Every Capitol police officer represents the safety of others for their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP. This is a tragic day. ”
Bipartisan pays tribute to Liebengood – including former Vice President-nominated senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., And House minority leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Az. was shared on social media on Sunday shortly after his death was announced.
“For nearly 16 years, Capitol police officer Howard Liebengood has respectfully fulfilled his duty to protect the halls of Congress,” McCarthy wrote. “Judy and I are praying for Howard’s family and the entire Capitol Hill community as we mourn the loss of a great man.”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and colleagues,” USCP said as it announced Liebengood’s death. “We ask that his family and other USCP officers and their families’ privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.”
Liebengood’s death follows co-officer Brian D. Sicknick, who died Thursday from injuries sustained in the riot. Papathanasiou noted that on January 2, the department also lost a third officer, Eric Marshall, after a battle with cancer.
“Their lives and service will not be forgotten,” Papathanasiou said.
