Second officer who died after US Capitol attack was once a Memphis Tiger

Links between the Memphis area and Wednesday's violent insurrection attempt at the Capitol in Washington D.C. continue to come to light.

Officer Howard Liebengood, the second U.S. Capitol Police officer to die following Wednesday's attack on the building, attended the University of Memphis for graduate-level studies, university spokesperson Chuck Gallina confirmed Monday morning.

The university said Liebengood, 51, was a student under Richard "Dick" Irwin, who currently serves as the executive dean for U of M global and academic innovation department. He earned his degree in sports commerce, Gallina said.

It's not immediately clear when Liebengood studied at the university.

Liebengood died while he was off-duty, the U.S. Capitol Police union confirmed. He was present during the mob's assault on the Capitol. A cause of death was not disclosed by the union. 

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"Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and colleagues," the Capitol Police said in a statement. "We ask that his family and other USCP officers’ and their families’ privacy be respected during this profoundly difficult time."

Multiple media outlets, including The Washington Post, cited an attorney for the Liebengood family, who said the veteran Capitol police officer took his own life Sunday.

Liebengood was assigned to the Senate Division and had been with the Capitol Police since April 2005.

Liebengood's death follows that of another Capitol officer, Brian Sicknick, who was fatally injured during the attack when an unknown insurrectionist struck the officer with a fire extinguisher. 

Dozens of other Capitol police officers were injured during the siege, which was briefly successful in stopping the counting of Electoral College votes and certifying President Donald Trump's defeat.

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Liebengood was a second-generation Capitol police officer. His father, Howard S. Liebengood, served as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms from 1981 to 1983. 

Gus Papathanasiou, chairman of the Capitol Police Officers' Union, said in a statement that his death has left the force "reeling."

"Every Capitol Police Officer puts the security of others before their own safety and Officer Liebengood was an example of the selfless service that is the hallmark of the USCP," Papathanasiou said. "This is a tragic day."

Dozens of Senate staffers, current and former senators including Mitt Romney and John Kerry have taken to social media to express heartbreak over Liebengood's death.

Congressman Steve Cohen wrote on Twitter, "I'm sad to learn of Officer Howard Liebengood's death after he heroically defended the Capitol against insurrection. He was a second-generation protector of the Capitol and received a master's from U of Memphis. I extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues."

Following the attack on the Capitol, an Arkansas resident, Richard Barnett, was arrested and charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority; violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds; and theft of public money, property, or records, federal officials announced Friday. 

Barnett claimed to be a former Memphis firefighter. 

Micaela A. Watts is a breaking news reporter for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

USAToday reporters Camille Caldera and Matthew Brown contributed to this report.