DENVER -- Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide now until sunset Jan. 13, to honor United States Capitol Police Officers Brian D. Sicknick and Howard Liebengood.
The order comes a day after President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff as a sign of respect for Sicknick and Liebengood who have died since last Wednesday’s violent protests at the Capitol, as well as all members of law enforcement across the nation.
Sicknick joined the U.S. Capitol Police in 2008, serving until his death Thursday after being attacked as rioters seething over Trump’s election loss stormed the Capitol, believing the president’s false claims of a rigged election.
Authorities announced the death of Liebengood on Sunday. It was not clear whether his death was connected to Wednesday’s events. Two people familiar with the matter said the officer’s death was an apparent suicide. They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and requested anonymity.
There were increasing calls for Trump to order flags to be flown at half-staff on federal facilities after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered the same for the Capitol following Sicknick’s death.
