On a bright July afternoon in 1998 the U.S. Capitol turned violent when a gunman entered office areas with lethal intent. Detective John Michael Gibson, 42, a native of Boston who had served with the United States Capitol Police for 18 years, was assigned to a congressman’s dignitary protection detail and was working in plainclothes. He was a married father of three.

After Officer Jacob Chestnut was fatally shot, Gibson heard the shots and moved quickly to protect interns and staff, shepherding them under desks, then confronted the gunman as he burst into the congressman’s office. In the exchange of gunfire Detective Gibson was mortally wounded but managed to return fire and wound the suspect before succumbing to his injuries. The assailant was apprehended and later found mentally unfit to stand trial and committed to a psychiatric center at a federal correctional complex.

Does anyone have memories of Detective Gibson’s service or additional details about that day to share?