Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Jacob Chestnut was shot and killed when a suspect entered a main entrance to the United States Capitol and opened fire after walking through a metal detector.
Officer Chestnut was stationed at the entrance of the building and was in the process of writing directions for two tourists when he was shot in the back of the head at point-blank range. The suspect then entered the office of Congressman Tom DeLay.
Detective John 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 of the Butner Federal Correctional Complex in Butner, North Carolina.
He is buried in section 4, lot 2764-A of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-325690A6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jacob. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Jacob is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Chestnut gave the United States Capitol Police 18 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Jacob Joseph Chestnut served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Officer Jacob Joseph Chestnut is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 53.1 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Capitol Police, 4 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jacob Joseph Chestnut's cause is highlighted.
How Jacob Joseph Chestnut Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jacob Joseph Chestnut is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jacob Joseph Chestnut was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Jacob Joseph Chestnut served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Jacob Joseph Chestnut’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Laid to Rest
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from United States Capitol Police are honored on badge.nw.
