The cop who died guarding the Capitol was an 18-year veteran

By Dennis Romero- NBC News

Capitol Officer William Evans, who died Friday after a man rammed his car and pounced on authorities with a knife, was an 18-year veteran of the Capital Washington DC Police Department, according to authorities confirmed.

"He began his service with the Capitol Police (USCP) on March 7, 2003 and was a member of the Capitol Division First Aid Unit," Acting Police Chief Yogananda Pittman said. , in a statement about Evans, better known as

Billy.

Capitol Police said in another statement that its members were "devastated" by his death.

Capitol Agent William "Billy" Evans, 18 years of service, a member of the department's first aid unit.

Capitol Police via AP

The department was still reeling from the Jan. 6 Capitol riots that claimed the life of Agent

Brian Sicknick, 42

.

Another died by suicide after the assault, as did an agent from the Metropolitan Police Department.

What is known about the attack

Details surrounding Evans's death were not immediately known, but authorities said he was one of two officers struck when the suspect's blue Nissan Sentra hit a roadblock.

Police sources alleged that

the man got out of the vehicle and ran towards the officers with a knife.

The second officer is "stable," with non-life-threatening injuries, police said on Twitter.

[What is known and what questions are still unanswered about the attack outside the Capitol that left a police officer dead]

"There is still much to be determined about this attack and the Department of Security (DHS) offers its full support to the Capitol Police and DC Mayor [Muriel] Bowser," said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas, in a statement.

The suspect, identified by multiple law enforcement sources as

25-year-old Noah Green

of Indiana, was killed by officers who responded to the attack, according to authorities.

The two officers who were run over were immediately hospitalized.

The FBI was assisting the metropolitan police investigation into the motive for the attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

Violence returns to the Capitol: what is known about the attack in which a police officer lost his life

April 2, 202102: 56

In a letter to her colleagues, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, mentioned the family Evans left behind.

"On behalf of the House of Representatives, I have conveyed our prayers and condolences to her mother Janice, and we offered assistance to her and Officer Evans' children, Logan and Abigail," he said.

In a separate public statement, he said: "Today, America's

heart has been broken

by the tragic and heroic death of one of our Capitol Police heroes: Officer William Evans. He

is a martyr for our democracy

."

[Who are the radicals who stormed the Capitol and what is known about those who were arrested]

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York, spoke with the agent's family and told them, "You

will always be part of our

Capitol

community

," a spokesperson said.

President Joe Biden said in a statement Friday afternoon that he wanted to express

"the nation's gratitude"

to the Capitol Police.

"Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the violent attack at a security checkpoint on the United States Capitol compound, which killed Officer William Evans of the United States Capitol Police, and left a comrade fighting for his life, "said the president.

"We send our sincerest condolences to Officer Evans' family and to all who mourn his loss."

A car crashed into a barricade in front of the Capitol, injuring two police officers.

Biden ordered the flag of the White House, federal public buildings and military sites to fly at half mast until Tuesday in honor of Evans.

[Confederate flags, terrified legislators and even a gallows: the most disturbing images of the assault on the Capitol]

"An inexplicable act of violence"

In a separate statement, Vice President Kamala Harris called the attack an "inexplicable act of violence."

"We continue to be proud of the brave men and women who defend the Capitol, especially during a difficult period in which they have faced two violent and deadly attacks," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell said in a statement: "Once again, brave officers of the United States Capitol Police have been violently attacked while simply doing their job."

"

I am heartbroken

that Officer William F. Evans was killed in the line of duty defending the Capitol," he added.