Who was Brian Sicknick's girlfriend Sandra Garza? Slain cop loved relaxing at home with partner of 11 years
Brian Sicknick, the Capitol Police Officer made headlines on Tuesday as he would now lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda. The 42-year-old was one of the five people who died during the January 6 Capitol riots. He was on duty when rioters, angry over US President Donald Trump's election loss, stormed and looted the building. He was hit in the head with a fire extinguisher and died the following day.
As tributes poured in social media after news of his cremation broke, the attention invariably moved to his personal life. Sicknick left behind his parents, two brothers, and his girlfriend Sandra Garza. Not much is known about her, except she was his girlfriend for 11 years. Dignity memorial adds this fact in its obituary section. "He enjoyed relaxing at home with his longtime girlfriend, loved watching M*A*S*H, Band of Brothers, South Park, and Reno 911, as well as a variety of action movies," one part of the obituary read.
The family released a statement that read: "The family of U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian D. Sicknick thanks the Congressional leadership for bestowing this historic honor on our fallen American hero. We also wish to express our appreciation to the millions of people who have offered their support and sympathies during this difficult time. Knowing our personal tragedy and loss is shared by our nation brings hope for healing."
Not much about Garza was available on the internet, but there were images of the couple doing the rounds on social media as many expressed their condolences to the fallen cop. "Slain Officer Brian Sicknick and his long time girlfriend Sandra Garza," read one of the messages on Facebook.
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According to My Central Oregon, A congressional tribute will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. This will be followed by a ceremonial departure at noon before Sicknick is interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, the ceremony will not be open to the public.
"The U.S. Congress is united in grief, gratitude and solemn appreciation for the service and sacrifice of Officer Brian Sicknick,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement. "The heroism of Officer Sicknick and the Capitol Police force during the violent insurrection against our Capitol helped save lives, defend the temple of our democracy and ensure that the Congress was not diverted from our duty to the Constitution. His sacrifice reminds us every day of our obligation to our country and to the people we serve."
Sicknick will be the third Capitol Police officer to lie in honor at the Capitol. Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson, who were both killed in the line of duty in 1998 were the other two. Among others, Rev. Billy Graham most recently received the rare tribute in 2018. Prior to that was Rosa Parks in 2005. The American activist in the civil rights movement was known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery bus boycott.