Slain U.S. Capitol Police Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans was Massachusetts native

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Capitol Police Officer William ‘Billy’ Evans, who was killed in the line of duty Friday, was a western Massachusetts native who lived for his kids, a childhood friend said.

“He was an amazing dad. He was hysterical. He had an amazing sense of humor. He loved jokes and to play pranks on his family and friends and coworkers. And he loved being a U.S. Capitol Police officer,” North Adams City Councilor Jason LaForest said by Zoom Friday night. “He died a hero, but really just wanted to go to work and get home to his kids every day.”

LaForest has been close friends with Evans’ sister since kindergarten.

Evans, 41, was born in North Adams and spent much of his childhood there before moving to nearby Clarksburg with his family as a kid, LaForest said.

“He and one of his best friends wanted to be Capitol Police officers in college, and they were able to live that dream,” LaForest said. “And tragically, that dream was cut short in just the worst imaginable way today.”

LaForest, a nurse, was with a patient when he saw the news and learned of his friend’s death.

Evans, an 18-year veteran of the Capitol Police force and a member of the First Responders Unit, died after a driver rammed his car into him and another officer before striking a barricade outside the Capitol building.

The suspect then hopped out of the car and lunged at the officers with a knife, Capitol police said, before being fatally shot by police.

A procession escorted Evans’ body from George Washington University Hospital as mourner lined the street to pay their respects.

President Joe Biden ordered flags at the White House be lowered to half-staff.

“He was, to us, someone we knew and loved and will go on missing now as we process his death and the way in which he died for the rest of our lives,” LaForest said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW