NJ Marks First Brian Sicknick Day, Honoring South River Native

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ - Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a proclamation designating July 30, as Brian Sicknick Day in New Jersey, honoring the South River native and U.S. Capitol Police officer who died after defending the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, according to a statement from the governor's office.

July 30 is Officer Sicknick's birthday. He was born in New Brunswick on July 30, 1978, and grew up in South River.

"Brian Sicknick was the very best of New Jersey," Sherrill said in the statement. "I will never forget being evacuated from the House chamber, preparing our gas masks, unsure whether we would encounter the violent mob Trump sent to the Capitol on January 6. Brian and his fellow Capitol Police officers held the line, fighting for our democracy and allowing us to return that night to carry out our Constitutional duty and certify the election."

Sicknick's brother, Craig Sicknick, thanked the state for the recognition.

"Brian dedicated his life to serving others and protecting the country he loved," Craig Sicknick said in the statement. "Our family is deeply grateful to Governor Sherrill and the State of New Jersey for honoring Brian on his birthday and ensuring that his courage, sacrifice and lifetime of service is never forgotten."

The annual designation was established through Assembly Joint Resolution 215 and Senate Joint Resolution 151, sponsored by Assemblymen Robert Karabinchak and Sterley Stanley and Senators Patrick Diegnan Jr. and Gordon Johnson. The legislation was signed into law on Jan. 9, 2026, during Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, following a wreath-laying ceremony at the Brian Sicknick Memorial Garden in South River.

Officer Sicknick joined the New Jersey Air National Guard in 1997, serving as a fire team member and leader with the 108th Security Forces Squadron. He deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch and to Kyrgyzstan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before being honorably discharged in 2003. He joined the United States Capitol Police in 2008 and later served in the First Responders Unit and the mountain bike unit.

On Jan. 6, 2021, Sicknick responded to the Capitol as a mob attempted to prevent Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election. He was assaulted by rioters and suffered two strokes before dying the following night. The U.S. Capitol Police recognizes his death as occurring in the line of duty.

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