John Gibson (police officer)

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Commemorative plaque in the United States Capitol

Detective John Michael Gibson (March 29, 1956 – July 24, 1998) was a United States Capitol Police officer assigned to the dignitary protection detail of Congressman Tom DeLay. He was shot and killed after confronting Russell Eugene Weston Jr., who had shot and killed officer Jacob Chestnut seconds earlier. Detective Gibson, who was in plainclothes, was shot after the suspect entered the office of Congressman DeLay. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Gibson was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery after lying in honor with Chestnut in the United States Capitol.

The suspect was known to the United States Secret Service prior to the incident as a person who had threatened the President of the United States. The suspect was found mentally unfit to stand trial.

Detective Gibson had served with the agency for 18 years. He was a native of Massachusetts who married the niece of Representative Joe Moakley, Democrat of Massachusetts. He had three children, a 17-year-old daughter and two boys, ages 15 and 14.^[1]