HALF-STAFF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should the flag be flown at half-staff?
What is the proper procedure to fly your flag at half-staff?
Who can order half-staffing?
What about half-staff to honor other citizens?
What if you can't lower your flag?
HALF-STAFF ALERTS
SOUTH CAROLINA : JULY 5, 2025
South Carolina The Governor orders that the flags atop the State Capitol be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in honor of James Roland Smith and in recognition of his extraordinary legacy and lifetime of service to the State of South Carolina, including as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, and the Governor requests that the flags over state buildings and buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.
IDAHO : JUNE 30, 2025 THROUGH INTERMENT
Idaho Governor Brad Little has ordered U.S. flags and State of Idaho flags to be lowered to half-staff to honor the firefighters killed in an ambush attack in North Idaho.
Flags will be lowered immediately until the day following the firefighters’ memorial service, in accordance with Idaho law.
“The entire State of Idaho grieves the profound loss of the firefighters killed in the shocking ambush in North Idaho. All our public safety officers, especially our firefighters, bravely confront danger on a daily basis but we have never seen a heinous act of violence like this on our firefighters before. This is not Idaho. This indescribable loss is felt deeply by all those in the firefighting community and beyond. Please join Teresa and me as we continue to pray for the victims and their loved ones,” Governor Little said.
The full text of the Governor’s flag directive follows: Please be advised that flags should be lowered to half-staff immediately starting Monday, June 30, 2025, at the state Capitol building and at other state and local government buildings, for the tragic loss of the firefighters in North Idaho on June 29. The flags will be at half-staff immediately until the day following the firefighters’ memorial service on a date to be determined.
WISCONSIN: JULY 1 & 11,2025
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers today issued the following statement on the passing of Milwaukee Police Department Officer Kendall Corder and ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff immediately in honor of Officer Corder, who was killed in the line of duty on June 29, at the age of 32.
“Officer Corder was responding to a shots fired call last week and ran toward danger when he was shot in the line of duty and ultimately passed away from his injuries. Our hearts break for Officer Corder, his family, loved ones, colleagues at the Milwaukee Police Department, and the greater Milwaukee community, and we join Milwaukeeans and Wisconsinites in honoring the life of this dedicated public servant,” said Gov. Evers. “Kathy and I will continue to keep his family and loved ones and all those who knew Officer Corder in our thoughts and our prayers as they mourn his loss and this merciless tragedy.”
Gov. Evers is also ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to half-staff across the state immediately until sunset on Tues., July 1, 2025, as well as the date of Officer Corder’s interment, which has not yet been announced. An executive order will be forthcoming.
MARYLAND : JULY 2, 2025
Maryland
This is to advise that Governor Wes Moore ordered the Maryland Flag lowered to half-staff effective immediately. A separate notification will be sent regarding the raising of the Maryland Flag. This action is for Deputy Mark Porter of the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, who died in the line of duty yesterday, Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
