(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)   Police Officer William “Billy” Evans on Tuesday was laid in honor Tuesday Apr. 13, 2021 at the U.S. Capitol, where he served for 18 years and lost his life in the line of duty earlier this month.

By  Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  –  U.S. CAPITOL –   Police Officer William “Billy” Evans on Tuesday was laid in honor  at the U.S. Capitol, where he served nearly 20 years and lost his life in the line of duty earlier this month.  On April 2, a man in a vehicle  struck Evans and then rammed into a barricade outside the  U.S. Capitol complex. After ramming the officers, the suspect  then exited the car armed with the knife and charged at another officer before the officer shot him. The suspect died later at the hospital.  President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi spoke Tuesday at a tribute to the fallen Capitol police officer attended by members of Congress.  Evans is only the sixth Capitol police officer to die in the line of duty in the nearly 200 years since the force was formed. Evans  was the second to die in the line of duty this year alone, following the death of Officer Brian Sicknick, who sustained fatal injuries during the Jan. 6  Capitol insurrection by pro-Trump extremists.   

“Losing a son, daughter, brother, sister, mom, dad — it’s like losing a piece of your soul.  But it’s buried deep, but it comes back. Your son, your husband, your brother, your dad was a hero.  And he’s part of you.  It’s in your blood.  My prayer for you is that moment when a smile comes before the tear, quicker than longer.”

-President Joe Biden tribute to slain Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans

"This is heroism. Your son, your husband, your brother, your dad was a hero."

Pres. Biden eulogizes fallen Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans. Watch his full remarks: https://t.co/LoNB8DE8sC pic.twitter.com/okatURCbv0

— ABC News (@ABC) April 14, 2021

As we mourn the loss of Officer Billy Evans, we are grateful for the honor bestowed upon him by Congress.

Today’s memorial service at the Capitol Rotunda will be on @cspan at 10:30 AM EST. pic.twitter.com/kxxoMYIfsm

— U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) April 13, 2021

Debate Rages Over Continued Security Fencing Around U.S. Capitol Complex

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)   U.S. Capital in  Washington D.C. with  a perimeter fence still  surrounding the entire  historical building 

The recent tragic incident at the U.S. Capitol has renewed debate over security as Congressional members returned this week. The deadly attack and the insurrection have reignited a debate over security and fencing at the Capitol complex.  The April 2 car attack occurred  a week after security officials finished removing an outer layer of fencing that had gone up around the Capitol complex after the insurrection and reopened surrounding streets to traffic.  The inner layer of fencing immediately surrounding the main Capitol building remains.  On January 7, 2021, in response to the previous day’s events, razor wire fencing was erected to secure the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol; the fencing was initially to remain in place for 30 days and has since been kept in place through periodic extensions.

(By Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times)   U.S. Capital in  Washington D.C. with razor wire on a perimeter fence surrounding the entire  historical building Feb. 12, 2021.  

(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo  ©Diplomatic  Times)  U.S. Capital Hill area where Capitol Police officer was killed Friday Apr. 2, 2021 when vehicle “rammed” into a barricade outside the Capitol complex.

Many members of Congress understand security concerns and support temporary fencing around the  Capitol, but are vehemently opposed to permanent barriers.  Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said last week  that she continues to strongly oppose the installation of permanent fencing at the U.S. Capitol complex despite the latest tragic incident.  Norton is of the opinion  there will always need to be Capitol Police officers stationed at security checkpoints, regardless of the distance of the checkpoint to the Capitol, making it almost impossible to prevent a person from using a car to attack officers. Norton also noted that the retractable vehicle barrier at the security checkpoint at the Capitol building worked as intended and stopped the attacker’s car from entering the grounds.

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) (Source: Britannica.com)

“My heart goes out to the loved ones of U.S. Capitol Police Officer William “Billy” Evans, who lost his life protecting the Capitol, the injured officer, Ken Shaver, and the entire Capitol Police force, which has experienced so much trauma in the last few months,” Norton said. “There is no doubt that security at the Capitol complex needs be strengthened with 21st century approaches to security and intelligence, but such improvements can be done without permanent fencing that closes the People’s House to the people.”

-Democratic Congress  Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC

Norton has introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the use of federal funds to install permanent fencing at the Capitol complex.