A second U.S. Capitol police officer who responded to the U.S. Capitol siege on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 has died. The United States Capitol police said officer Howard Liebengood died off-duty, but did not initially release the circumstances or cause of his death.
New York Magazine Contributor Yashar Ali, Director of Digital Content for Nexstar Media Group Austin Kellerman, NBC News reporter Jake Sherman, and TMZ reported Sunday, January 10, 2021 that Liebengood died by suicide.
United States Capitol police officer Brian Sicknick died Thursday as a result of injuries sustained at the U.S. Capitol. The White House issued a proclamation lowering the flag to half mast on Sunday honoring both Liebengood and Sicknick.
The United States Capitol police released a statement saying that Liebengood, 51, served on the Senate side. He had been with the Capitol police department since April 2005. Police union chairman Gus Papathanasiou called it a “tragic day.”
“We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood. Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP.”
— U.S. Capitol Police Union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou
Liebengood’s father, Howard Liebengood Sr, served as the Senate sergeant-at-arms from 1981 until 1983.
President Trump honors the Capitol Police by flying the flag at half-staff.
“As a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of U.S. Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick & Howard Liebengood, and all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement” ⬇️https://t.co/eSJ1u4J7rZ
— Kayleigh McEnany (@PressSec) January 10, 2021
This is Officer Liebengood — Howie — at a shift change in December 2014. Senators Coons and Blunt, and their staffs, would make and bring cookies over every year to mark the holidays and express our gratitude.
He was a real person and a good guy, and this is a terrible tragedy. pic.twitter.com/oGfj6PZWCn
— Ian Koski (@iankoski) January 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/AustinKellerman/status/1348315510241427457
Get updates from The Cardinal ALL NEWS FEEDS on Facebook. Just ‘LIKE’ the ‘Arlington Cardinal Page (become a fan of our page). The updates cover all posts and sub-category posts from The Cardinal — Arlingtoncardinal.com. You can also limit feeds to specific categories. See all of The Cardinal Facebook fan pages at Arlingtoncardinal.com/about/facebook …
Help fund The Cardinal Arlingtoncardinal.com/sponsor