The Hill News

Capitol Police honored the 12^th anniversary of two of their fallen colleagues with several commemorative ceremonies on Friday.

Officer Jacob J. Chestnut and Detective John M. Gibson were killed on July 24, 1998, while protecting the Capitol from Russell Eugene Weston Jr. who rampaged through the building firing his gun.  

On Friday the Protective Services Bureau unveiled Gibson’s locker on the 6^th floor of Capitol Police headquarters. Officials plan to permanently install the locker in the police’s main reception area.

Police also laid three flower wreaths at the Capitol’s Memorial Door on Friday, broadcasted a moment of silence on the Capitol Police radio, and handed out commemorative cards at public entrances throughout the Capitol.

The Chestnut and Gibson families gathered privately at the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Tree planted on the Capitol’s east front lawn, across from the House steps.

In the days following their death, both of the officers laid in state in the Capitol’s Rotunda, an honor typically reserved for presidents, lawmakers, and high-ranking military officials.