Capitol Police Officer Billy Evans Laid To Rest In Adams, Massachusetts

ADAMS (CBS) – U.S. Capitol Police Officer William "Billy" Evans, who was killed in the line of duty earlier this month, was laid to rest Thursday afternoon in western Massachusetts where he grew up.

Evans was raised in North Adams and Clarksburg and graduated from Drury High School and Western New England University in Springfield. He had been a Capitol Police officer since 2003.

He was killed in an attack at the Capitol on April 2. Evans was 41 years old.

American flags lined the procession route as his body was brought back to his hometown Wednesday evening.

A private funeral was held Thursday afternoon at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church in Adams. With COVID guidelines limiting the number of people allowed inside, more than 100 officers stood at attention in the heavy rain.

Officer Evans served 18 years at the Capitol and was fondly remembered as a kind soul who always impacted the lives of others in a positive way.

"Full of life and fun and a really good friend to all the other kids. Smart. He was great," said Suzanne Mendel, Officer Evans second-grade teacher.

Following the service, Capitol Hill motorcycle officers were among those leading the funeral procession to Bellevue Cemetery, where Evans was laid to rest next to his father.

Officer Evans leaves behind a wife and two young children.