US President Joe Biden and members of Congress on Tuesday paid tribute at a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda to the US Capitol Police officer killed when a motorist rammed a car into him and another officer and threatened them with a knife.
William Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force and father of two young children, died in hospital after he was struck by the vehicle on April 2.
His flag-draped casket sat in the middle of the rotunda surrounded by appropriately spaced rings of attendees, including members of his family.
Mr Biden told them: "You are going to make it by holding each other together," referencing his own grief after losing two sons.
"My prayer for all of you is that a day will come when you have that memory that will make you smile. I promise you, it will come."
Immediately following the remarks, Mr Biden walked over to members of Evans's family and gave a presidential challenge coin to Evans's son.
A military choral quartet then sang an a cappella rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Lying in honour – the public viewing of a person's casket – is one of the highest possible honours Congress has for a civilian. Only five other people have received the distinction since it was created in 1998.
Three of those people were Capitol Police officers who died in attacks on the Capitol, including Brian Sicknick, the officer who died from injuries suffered on January 6, when hundreds of supporters of former president Donald Trump stormed the building.
