Billy Evans, Officer Who Died in Capitol Attack, Was 18-Year Veteran of Force

The Capitol Police identified the officer killed in the line of duty Friday as William F. Evans, an 18-year veteran of the force.

Officer Evans was one of two officers injured after being rammed by a vehicle at the U.S. Capitol. He was later pronounced dead.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of the passing of Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans this afternoon from injuries he sustained following an attack at the north barricade by a lone assailant,” Yogananda D. Pittman, the acting chief of the Capitol Police, said in a statement.

The suspect, who emerged from the car with a knife, was shot and killed, according to the police.

Officer Evans began working for the Capitol Police on March 7, 2003, and was a member of the first responder unit.

Officer Evans’s death comes after a horrific few months for the Capitol Police force. Nearly 140 officers suffered injuries during a deadly assault on the building on Jan. 6 by a pro-Trump mob. Officer Brian Sicknick died of injuries he sustained during the siege.

“This has been an extremely difficult time for U.S. Capitol Police,” Chief Pittman said.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Officer Evans a “martyr for our democracy.”

“Today, America’s heart has been broken by the tragic and heroic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes: Officer William Evans,” she said. “Members of Congress, staff and Capitol workers, and indeed all Americans, are united in appreciation for the courage of the U.S. Capitol Police. Today, once again, these heroes risked their lives to protect our Capitol and our country, with the same extraordinary selflessness and spirit of service seen on Jan. 6.”

Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the minority leader, said he was “heartbroken” at Officer Evans’s death.

“Once again, brave officers of the United States Capitol Police have been violently attacked while simply doing their job,” he said. “The Senate is praying hard for the second injured officer and for Officer Evans’s family and friends. We could not be more grateful for the professionalism and heroism of the officers who neutralized this threat at the checkpoint and for the entire U.S.C.P. force, who have had to endure so much in just a few short months.”

The Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, spoke with Officer Evans’s family on Friday night, telling them that the Senate mourned his loss and appreciated his bravery, a spokesman for the senator’s office said.