Speaker Pelosi Remarks at Lying in Honor Congressional Tribute to U.S. Capitol Police Officer William ‘Billy’ F. Evans

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi joined President Biden, Members of the Congressional Leadership, the family of Officer Evans and members of the U.S. Capitol Police force for a Congressional tribute to U.S. Capitol Police Officer William ‘Billy' F. Evans as he lay in honor in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Below are the Speaker's remarks:

Speaker Pelosi. Mr. President, members of Billy's family, including the members of the Capitol Police who are here, it is my official and sad honor to welcome you, as well as Billy's many friends, colleagues and loved ones, to the Capitol to honor his life.

This observance is elevated by the presence of the members of the Capitol Police, leaders from the District of Columbia, including Mayor Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department. We thank you for your service. Members of the Administration, the Attorney General, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and the President of the United States.

We all acknowledge Officer Evans' Capitol Police family and thank them every chance we get. And we include in that recognition Officer Kenneth Shaver, an American hero. We acknowledge Kristina. We thank Officer Craig Atkinson for his heroism, here with his wife, Mary Julia.

That the officers with whom Billy served at the North Barricade [are] sitting among his family today is a testament to the special bond Billy had with that force.

Most importantly, we are blessed to be with Officer Evans' family: his mother Janice, his children Logan and Abigail, their mother Shannon and sister, Julie. Thank you for giving Congress the honor of paying tribute to Billy Evans today.

Officer Evans joins a pantheon of heroes who have given their lives to defend our Capitol, including on January 6th: Brian Sicknick, Howard Liebengood, Jeffrey Smith. Also, Christopher Eney, Clinton Holtz, Jacob Chestnut and John Gibson, some years ago. As we promised to remember, we carry them in our hearts forever.

Twice in two months have many of us been brought together here in the Capitol Rotunda, united in grief, to mourn the life and loss of heroes in uniform. Just months after the January 6th assault on our democracy, the men and women of the Capitol Police were again called to duty. On April 2nd, Officer Evans answered that call. In giving his life to protect the Capitol and our country, he became a martyr for our democracy.

Officer Evans, a Catholic, was killed on Good Friday – the saddest day of the year for many people of faith. His sacrifice recalls Scripture: ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.'

Officer Billy Evans was a hero whose life was distinguished by dedication to our country, including eighteen years on the Capitol force. He represented the best of public service: selflessness, sacrifice and sheer courage in the face of threats to our nation.

When people spoke of Officer Evans, they said things like, ‘He loved being a U.S. Capitol Police Officer more than anyone could really say,' and ‘He carried the badge everywhere. He was just so proud.'

But what Billy was most proud of was his family. His absolute devotion to his family was legendary. When I spoke to Janice, his mother, following the tragedy, I asked how she was doing, and she said, ‘My concern is for the children, for Logan and for Abigail.' I hope it is a comfort to Logan and Abigail – I see they have their cozies with them there, but I hope it is also a comfort to them that their father, an American hero, is lying where Abraham Lincoln laid, on the catafalque built for Abraham Lincoln.

Many of us have heard Billy's friends talk about how his favorite part of the day was returning home from work to see his children's faces light up with joy, how Billy loved sharing with them his love for sports, particularly Boston sports, how he made each day an adventure – whether play fighting with lightsabers, as the Leader mentioned, and building cities of Legos and enjoying the magic of the Harry Potter series.

Everyone who knew Billy knew that he was a hero on the Capitol Police force and in his family. It is our hope that with this tribute, the American people, too, will know and remember the truth. Logan and Abigail, no words are adequate. We can only imagine your sadness, but we hope it is a comfort to you that so many now know about your dad and know that he is a hero, that his name, his name will always be on our lips and his memory in our hearts and that – the President of the United States is picking up one of your distractions.

[Laughter]

A greater compliment has no one had than the President of the United States looking after your toys.

And that so many mourn your loss and pray for you – including the President of the United States, here today to offer words of tribute to Billy. We also hope that this tribute is a comfort to members of the Capitol Police force, who have endured an horrific and heartbreaking several months.

As we grieve this passing of Officer Evans and all who have given their lives to defend the Capitol and the country, we are moved by the courage, grace and resilience with which each member of the force has met this moment and continues to serve our nation. Thank you. May God bless the United States Capitol Police force and all who work to keep our nation safe, and may God bless America.

Thank you to the family of Billy Evans for giving us this honor to pay tribute to a true American hero.

Thank you.