Senate and House Honor the Sacrifice of Two Fallen Capitol Police Officers

Source: Office of the Speaker of the House

On July 24, the Leaders of the House and Senate gathered with the families of Officer Jacob Chestnut and Detective John Gibson for a wreath-laying ceremony. Chestnut and Gibson were slain on July 24, 1998 while defending the Capitol from a gunman who entered through the Document Door entrance.

By an act of Congress in 1998, the Document Door was renamed the Chestnut-Gibson Memorial Door. Every year, the sacrifice of these law enforcement officers is honored with a ceremony and a moment of silence.

Detective Gibson was a Capitol Police officer assigned to Congressman Tom DeLay’s protection detail. Officer Chestnut was a Capitol Police officer who was on duty at the Document Door entrance. Both officers lay in honor in the Capitol rotunda—Chestnut was the first African American to receive that honor—and are now buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Both officers’ names are also engraved on the Memorial wall.

Thank you, Detective Gibson and Officer Chestnut, for your ultimate sacrifice.