Flags are at half-staff this weekend in seven U.S. states to honor the memory and passing of several public servants and others recently, following proclamations from federal and state officials.
These observances are often ordered for incidents that deeply impact the nation and can include tragic national events, or disasters.
Additionally, certain national observances are typically marked with half-staff flag status where the U.S. flag is lowered to honor the sacrifices of first responders and public safety officers.
The flag status may vary slightly between states, with governors often issuing local proclamations for their jurisdictions.
Alabama
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is allowing U.S. & Alabama flags to half-staff in the City of Jasper today to honor Mayor David O’Mary.
A statement from the governor’s office described the former Mayor as “a lifelong servant leader,” and someone who “forged an impressive 39-year career serving Jasper’s citizens and businesses in the local banking industry” as well as serving in the Alabama National Guard for eight years.
Arkansas
The Governor of Arkansas has instructed the state flag to be flown at half-staff on Saturday in honor of Thelma Mothershed Wair, a noted civil rights activist of the state.
“I Sarah Huckabee Sanders…do hereby order that the United States flag and the state flag of Arkansas be flown at half-staff throughout the State from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, October 26, 2024, on the day of Thelma Mothershed Wair’s interment, in memory of her life,” stated Sanders.
Wair was a civil rights pioneer and one of the “Little Rock Nine,” the group of nine African American students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.
This historic moment was a major milestone in the civil rights movement and highlighted the challenges and resistance Black students faced in the fight to desegregate schools in the American South.
Thelma Mothershed (of Little Rock Nine) attends the taping of Courting Justice: Little Rock Arkansas at Central Arkansas Library Ron Robinson Theater on September 23, 2016 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The state flag of Arkansas will be flown at half-staff in her honor.
Earl Gibson III/Getty Images
Connecticut
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be lowered to half-staff from October 23-28 in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin, as reported by Flags Express and Half Staff Alerts.
“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Gov. Lamont said. He commended the fallen firefighter’s “selfless dedication to public service”, describing him as “heroic.”
“On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont (L) and California Governor Gavin Newsom speak with Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during an event with fellow governors in the East Room of the White House on February 23, 2024 in Washington, DC.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Illinois
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker advised that the state flag would be flown at half-staff from sunrise Wednesday, October 23 until sunset Sunday, October 27 in honor of Illinois State Police Trooper Corey S. Thompsen, 28, who died in a vehicle collision in the line of duty on October 18, 2024.
Thompsen joined the Illinois State Police in 2019 and served for almost 5 years. Trooper Thompsen will be remembered for his unparalleled dedication to his city and community, as reported by Flags Express.
Illinois State Police Trooper Corey S. Thompsen, 28, who tragically died in the line of duty on October 18, 2024. Illinois state flags will be flown at half-staff in Thompsen’s honor.
Illinois State Police/Illinois State Police Public Information Office
Indiana
Indiana Governor Holcomb ordered U.S. & Indiana flags to half-staff in Hamilton County today to honor former State Senator Dennis Neary.
Maine
Maine Governor Janet Mills ordered that the United States and State of Maine flags be lowered to half-staff statewide today in remembrance and honor of those lost, injured, and impacted by the tragedy in Lewiston last year.
Today marks one year since the shootings at Just-In-Time Recreation and Schemengees Bar and Grille in Lewiston that took the lives of 18 people and injured many others.
The governor issued the following statement: “As we mourn and pay tribute to the loved ones we lost one year ago, as we support those who were injured, and as we honor all those who have been affected by the Lewiston tragedy, we also remember our strength as a community, as a state, and as Maine people,” said Governor Janet Mills, as reported by Flags Express.
“As we continue down the long and difficult road to recovery, let us remind ourselves that we are not alone, that we are ‘Lewiston Strong,’ and that we will continue to heal, together.”
A resident places a Lewiston Strong sign outside of the Schemengees Bar, where one of two mass shootings took place on October 29, 2023 in Lewiston, Maine. Robert Card, who allegedly killed 18 people in a mass shooting at a bowling alley and restaurant in Lewiston was found dead in nearby Lisbon.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Maryland
Maryland Governor Wes Moore has ordered the Maryland flag to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of retired Maryland Court of Special Appeals Judge Andrew Larimore Sonner, who died on Sunday, October 13, 2024; and former State Delegate Thomas Harold Hattery, who passed away on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
For more detailed and up-to-date information on why flags are currently at half-staff in specific areas, websites like Half Staff Alerts and official government sources provide ongoing updates.
