Tributes are flooding in for William “Billy” Evans, the 18-year veteran of the U.S. Capitol Police who was killed in Friday’s attack at a Capitol checkpoint. Evans is being mourned by lawmakers as a hero and remembered by friends as a caring father, dedicated officer and good-natured jokester.
The country is reeling from the attack, which took place at the north barricade of the Capitol building just after 1 p.m. A suspect rammed his car into Evans and another officer and crashed into a barrier, then got out and started running toward them while wielding a knife, police said.
Two sources who were briefed on the details of the investigation confirm the suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Noah Green. At least one officer shot the suspect, who later died. The second officer, who was not identified, was hospitalized with injuries, and authorities said Friday evening he was in stable and non-life threatening condition.
Evans joined the department in 2003 and was a member of its first responders unit, according to acting U.S. Capitol Police Chief Yogananda Pittman. He is the second member of the force to have been killed in the line of duty this year — Officer Brian Sicknick died a day after insurrectionists stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.
“We send our heartfelt condolences to Officer Evans’ family, and everyone grieving his loss,” President Biden said in a statement on behalf of himself and the first lady. “We know what a difficult time this has been for the Capitol, everyone who works there, and those who protect it.”
Biden also ordered flags at the White House and all federal buildings to be flown at half-staff until Tuesday evening. Members of Congress, many of whom were in their home states on Friday as the House and Senate are in recess, are also mourning Evans’ death and thanking the officers for their bravery.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Evans “a martyr for our democracy,” while Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said “his name will go down in history for his selfless sacrifice.”
Pelosi also said she had conveyed prayers and condolences on behalf of the House of Representatives to “his mother Janice, with our offer of assistance to her and Officer Evans’ children Logan and Abigail.”
