Kevin Vickers led the procession solemnly , silently . Yet there was noise all around him -- and all for him . One day earlier , Vickers -- the sergeant-at-arms of Canada 's House of Commons -- was credited with gunning down an armed man who 'd stormed in minutes after killing a Canadian soldier standing guard at a nearby veterans memorial . Parliamentarians responded Thursday by saluting Vickers with a spirited standing ovation as he walked , in front of the line , as part of his ceremonial duties to usher the start of a new session . Their fervent applause was interrupted only by occasional cheers and pounding of benches . Yet Vickers , carrying a ceremonial sword and dressed in traditional attire , nodded gently to acknowledge the ovation but did n't address the crowd . The only time he spoke , and the only hint of a smile , came when Prime Minister Stephen Harper walked back to the sergeant-at-arms seat in the back of the hall -- at which point the two shook hands and Vickers whispered a few words in Harper 's ear . The sergeant-at-arms did offer remarks -- his first since the shootings -- later in a written statement . He said he was `` very touched '' by the attention over his role in ending the attack , while adding that he has `` the support of a remarkable security team that is committed to ensuring the safety of Members , employees and visitors '' to Parliament . `` Yesterday , during extraordinary circumstances , security personnel demonstrated professionalism and courage . I am grateful and proud to be part of this team , '' he said . Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Bob Paulson said Thursday that Michael Zehaf-Bibeau traded gunshots with an officer before heading down a hall towards Parliament , where Vickers and others engaged him . `` I understood that the suspect and Mr. Vickers were behind pillars and exchanging fire , '' Paulson said . `` The suspect repositioned himself to get a better shot at Mr. Vickers ... We heard ( a ) multitude of shots , and that Mr. Vickers did shoot . '' How do you characterize what the 58-year-old Vickers did that day ? Members of Parliament , the media and the public resoundingly settled on one word : hero . As parliamentarian Craig Scott tweeted , `` MPs and Hill staff owe their safety , even lives , to Sergeant at Arms Kevin Vickers . '' Had a ceremonial and law enforcement role . Vickers is n't a stranger to the spotlight , although he 's typically on the edge of it . When world leaders come through Ottawa , he is often right beside them at the House of Commons . Photo after photo from the past few years show him , a handful of Canadian politicians and the international figures -- from Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to South Korean President Park Geun-Hye -- on hand . This is all part of the ceremonial duties of sergeant-at-arms , a position that 's been occupied by only 10 people since its inception in 1867 . Vickers , for instance , is sometimes charged with carrying a special sword in the commission of his duties . Yet , for all the pomp and circumstance , Vickers is above all a man of the law . That speaks to his bigger role at the House of Commons as its top law enforcement officer , charged with overseeing security on the grounds and safeguarding various officials . To put what he did Wednesday in perspective , consider this : He was like a police chief or sheriff who takes out his weapon and ends a violent attack . On the one hand , Vickers is n't new to law enforcement , having spent 28 years with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police . Yet despite all that time , his brother believes that Wednesday was the first time Vickers ever exchanged gunfire with anyone . `` For it now to happen at Parliament ... is unbelievable , '' John Vickers told CNN . `` We 're just relieved he 's OK. '' Who was the gunman ? Reporter who knows Vickers calls him 'an utmost professional ' John Vickers describes his brother as `` an exemplary individual who , throughout ... his career , put his country and his community first . '' That includes all his years with Canada 's national police force , including a high-profile stint in the province of New Brunswick during a tense time there . `` He was always cool under pressure ; he was always respectful and accommodating , '' Andree Lau , a former CBC journalist who is now The Huffington Post 's British Columbia news editor , told CNN . Lau remembers Vickers , from the time she met him in the 2000s , as `` a stand-up guy ( who is ) well-trained . '' Asked about his exploits Wednesday , Lau said , `` It 's not surprising at all . Because ( Vickers ) is an utmost professional . '' Vickers left the RCMP to become the House of Commons ' security director , the CBC reported . He became sergeant-at-arms in 2006 , where he has impressed many with his demeanor as much as his professionalism . Tweeted Glenn Thibeault , a parliamentarian from Sudbury : `` Sgt at arms Kevin Vickers-nicest guy you 'll ever meet . I am lucky to call him a friend . `` Today he is also our hero and we are 4evr grateful . ''
Police official : Vickers exchanged gunshots from behind a tree . Brother : This was the first time Vickers exchanged shots over a long career . He was sergeant - at - arms for Canada 's House of Commons in 2006 . A legislator calls him the ` ` nicest guy you 'll ever meet '' and ` ` our friend ''