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Utah governor orders flags lowered for fallen Capitol officer

Brian D. Sicknick “gave his life trying to protect one of this nation’s most revered democratic institutions,” Cox said.

An American flag flies at half-staff in remembrance of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick above the Capitol Building in Washington, Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Sicknick died from injuries sustained as President Donald Trump's supporters stormed the Capitol. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox ordered flags to fly at half-staff Monday as a tribute to U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick, who died in Wednesday’s riot in Washington, D.C. The flag at the White House was lowered Sunday afternoon, after criticism that it wasn’t lowered earlier.

Sicknick died Thursday from head injuries inflicted when he was hit by a fire extinguisher Wednesday after a march on the U.S. Capitol turned into a deadly siege. He was one of five people to die in the wake of the incursion.

“Officer Brian D. Sicknick gave his life trying to protect one of this nation’s most revered democratic institutions,” Cox said in a statement released Sunday. “We honor his life of dedicated public service as part of U.S. Capitol Police and as a staff sergeant for the New Jersey National Guard. Abby and I extend our deepest sympathies to the Sicknick family and pray for them and our nation at this difficult time.”

Cox ordered the lowering of both the United States and Utah flags at all state facilities and public grounds.

Trump incited the crowd gathered at the Capitol to protest the certification of results of the 2020 presidential election, which he lost to Joe Biden, by encouraging them to “fight.”