Iowa joins other states across the nation in lowering its flags to half-staff on Thursday, May 15, in commemoration of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Flags will remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, following an order from Gov. Kim Reynolds. All flags at the Capitol and on public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state will be at half-staff.
What is Peace Officers Memorial Day?
The annual observance honors police officers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty, according to the National Policing Institute. President John F. Kennedy established Peace Officers Memorial Day in 1962, designating May 15 to recognize fallen and disabled federal, state and local law enforcement officers.
“Today, we pay tribute to two sets of heroes: Those with the courage to wear the badge, accepting all the dangers and sacrifices it entails, even, potentially, the ultimate sacrifice. And we honor their loved ones who have the courage to share the people most precious to them for the sake of a better world,” Reynolds said in a news release.
There have been 222 law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Iowa, dating back to the late 18th century. The last being former Des Moines police officer Phoukham Tran, who died in November 2023 from injuries he sustained in 2011 when he was struck by a drunk driver, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a nonprofit that tracks officers killed in the line of duty nationwide.
What’s the difference between half-mast and half-staff for flags?
Half-mast is used when the flag is flown from a flagpole, typically referring to a ship mast or similar structures, according to Federal Flags. Half-mast means the flag is flown two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff.
Half-staff is the term used for flags on land, particularly in the United States. Half-staff describes a flag that is raised halfway, between the top and bottom of the flagpole.
When the American flag is flown at half-staff, it conveys a message of respect and mourning. Federal Flags says this custom is most often observed following the death of a government official, military personnel or in response to a national tragedy.
Des Moines Register reporter Kate Kealey contributed to this report.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why are flags at half-staff? Iowa honors police officers killed, injured in line of duty
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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