NORTH ADAMS, Mass. - North Adams City Council Vice President Jason LaForest will tell you William “Billy” Evans loved life, he loved what he did and he loved his family. 

Evans served as a United States Capitol Police officer for 18 years, but his favorite job was being a dad to his two children.

LaForest said, “He was a great father and shared his amazing sense of humor and shared his love of sports and life with his children."

Laforest knew Billy for more than 30 years--he has been best friends with Billy’s sister since kindergarten.

"Neither of us had a date to his sister’s wedding, so we hung around that weekend and we had a really great time,” LaForest said.

He was able to watch Billy grow into the man he was---before his life was tragically cut short on Friday, April 2, when he was killed in the line of duty in an attack in Washington, D.C.

"He became a talented musician, a talented athlete, he played several different sports--and of course, grew into a fine young man who had the dream of becoming a U.S. Capitol Police officer and later, a dad,” LaForest said.

Billy was known for his smile, infectious laugh and humor. 

LaForest said, “He had a lot of great one liners. He loved to tell jokes, play pranks and needle people to get under their skin and get a rise out of them. I say things to my kids today that Billy said 30 years ago."

As Spectrum News 1 reported earlier on Tuesday, Evans will lie in honor at the Capitol Rotunda next week. 

Images courtesy: Evans Family