United States Capitol Police, U.S. Government
End of Watch: Friday, July 24, 1998
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: July 24, 1998
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Found incompetent
Detective John Gibson was shot and killed after confronting the suspect 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 Tom DeLay. Detective Gibson, who was assigned to protect Congressman DeLay, was immediately engaged in a gunfight with the suspect, at which point he was shot. Despite being mortally wounded, Detective Gibson was able to return fire and wounded the suspect.
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. He remains in the psychiatric center at Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina.
Detective Gibson had served with the United States Capitol Police for 18 years. He is survived by his wife and three children.
He is buried in section 28, lot #140, map grid U-42, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.