Majority Leader Schumer Floor Remarks In Remembrance Of Officer William “Billy” Evans

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor regarding the tragic death of Officer William Evans and his upcoming memorial service. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

The Senate returns to session in the shadow of tragedy. A week ago last Friday, a senseless attack on the Capitol by a lone actor injured one Capitol Police Officer and claimed the life of another, Officer William “Billy” Evans.

All of us in the Capitol—all of us across the nation—wish for the speedy recovery of Officer Shaver and mourn the loss of another fallen hero.

To pay tribute to his final act of bravery, Officer Evans will lie in honor under the Capitol rotunda, at the very center of the democracy he gave his life to protect. A service in his memory will take place tomorrow morning.

For everyone who works in the Senate, his loss is particularly painful. He was a familiar face who greeted lawmakers, reporters, staffers and employees at the North entrance as we entered the Senate side of the building. Whether you knew him or not, his wide smile was often the first thing you’d see in the morning.

This has been an immensely difficult few months for members of the Capitol Police force and for everyone who works behind the scenes to safeguard the Capitol complex. Senate Committees are conducting bipartisan and comprehensive reviews to ensure the Capitol is as secure as possible while also remaining accessible to the public. That is a top priority.

But also, in this moment of profound loss, we need to comfort each other and support members of the Capitol Police, who in four short months, suffered a brutal attack by a violent mob and lost four of their friends and cherished colleagues. We must never—never—take for granted the work they do, day-in and day-out, to guard this citadel of democracy.

I will have more to say tomorrow when we pay tribute to the life of Officer Evans. For now I wish to extend my deep condolences to his friends and family, especially his two young children, and everyone whose lives were enriched by knowing this incredible, incredible, public servant.

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