Flags are flying at half-staff Thursday, May 15, in Florida and across the United States to honor officers who have died in the line of duty.
Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15 comes during Police Week.
“This week and always, we honor the courageous men and women serving in law enforcement and memorialize those who sacrificed their lives defending the thin blue line,” President Trump said in a proclamation on May 12.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a memorandum late May 14, directing flags across Florida to also be flown at half-staff on May 15.
Here’s what you should know about the day.
Why are flags at half-mast today?
Flags should be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 15, for Peace Officers Memorial Day, during the week designated as Police Week.
“I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” Trump said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis: ‘We pay tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice’
On May 14, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis directed U.S. and Florida flags also should be flown at half-staff throughout the state from sunrise to sunset.
“On May 15, we pay tribute to those officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the safety and freedoms of Floridians,” DeSantis said in an email.
More than 54,000 police and law-enforcement officers keep our state safe, and Florida is proud of the selfless courage they demonstrate every day in our communities to serve and protect the public.
“National Police Week in Florida is a time for Floridians to honor the men and women who sacrificed and dedicated their lives to protecting our great state and to pay special recognition to those officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.”
‘Honor our brave officers’
“The oath to serve and protect comes with extraordinary risk and sacrifice, and we are indebted to those who choose this righteous profession,” Trump said in his proclamation.
“We pray for those who grieve the fallen and pledge that their lives, legacies, and sacrifices will forever be remembered by our grateful Nation.”
How long have Peace Officers Memorial Day, Police Week been around?
President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-226 in 1962 designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day to honor federal, state, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Each year, the calendar week in which May 15 falls is called Police Week.
In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed Public Law 103-322 directing the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on all government buildings on May 15.
Are there ceremonies on Peace Officers Memorial Day?
Several events are scheduled in Washington, D.C., during Police Week.
➤ See schedule of events
May 15 is the annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. The service starts at noon and “mainly honors the officers who recently made the ultimate sacrifice and pays tribute to all the fallen.”
Roll call for heroes 2025 includes 11 from Florida
The “Roll Call of Heroes for 2025” includes 11 from Florida:
Also to be honored from other years are:
Trump asks Congress for death penalty if police officer is murdered
“I have asked the Congress to codify my Executive Order mandating the death penalty for the murder of a police officer — sending an unequivocal message that barbaric acts of violence and blatant disregard for the lives of our Nation’s heroes will not be tolerated — and to pass a crime bill with enhanced protections for police officers.”
Do flags fly at half-mast or half-staff?
On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast.
On shore, flags are flown at half-staff.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Why flags are at half-staff across Florida, what to know about It’s Peace Officers Memorial Day
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / The Daytona Beach News-Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
