AP sources: US Capitol officer has died in apparent suicide

A second officer with the United States Capitol Police (USCP), Howard Liebengood, died on Saturday.

According to USCP, a 15-year veteran of the force, Liebengood died on Saturday. Liebengood joined the USCP in April 2005 and was assigned to the Senate Division. He was among the officers who responded to the rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Although the statement from USCP did not specify a cause of death, the Associated Press reports that according to two people familiar with the matter, Liebengood’s death was an apparent suicide. Those officials, the Associated Press reported, were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Union Chairman Gus Papathanasiou said in a statement, “We are reeling from the death of Officer Liebengood. Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of USCP. This is a tragic day.”

Police officer’s death intensifies Capitol siege questions

This is the second death of a USCP officer in just two days, with the passing of Officer Brian D. Sicknick on Thursday evening from injuries sustained while on duty during the assault on the Capitol on Jan. 6.

More information is expected to be released at a later time.