Flags in Wisconsin will fly at half-staff on Friday, May 15 to honor police officers who have died in the line of duty.
An executive order signed by Gov. Tony Evers orders flags to be flown at half-staff Friday, May 15 for Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flags were also half-staff on May 8 for the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony
Peace Officers Memorial Day is not a public holiday and business hours are not affected. Flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset May 15, according to Evers’ order.
“Any jurisdiction” in Wisconsin is allowed to fly flags at half-staff from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16 as part of Police Week.
Why do flags fly at half-staff?
U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, including 9/11.
“The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning,” USA.gov says. “The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flags at half-staff May 15 for Peace Officers Memorial Day in Wisconsin
Reporting by Caden Perry and Blaise Mesa, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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