Why Flags Are Half-Mast in 8 States Today, This Weekend

Victims of a school shooting, a state senator, police officers, prisoners of war and those still missing in action are among those being honored this weekend as several states fly flags at half-staff.
Across the country, eight states have ordered that American flags are to be flown at half-staff from today through this weekend, according to FlagsExpress.com.
A flag is flown at half-staff when a country or state is in mourning, typically marking a National Day of Remembrance, a national tragedy, or the death of a prominent American figure in government, the military, or first responder.
In an executive order, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp ordered that all national and state flags atop the state capitol and all public buildings in Georgia be flown at half-mast from September 5 to 20 to honor the victims of the Apalachee High School shooting, which took place on September 4. The shooting in Winder, Georgia, resulted in the deaths of two students, Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie. The flags have been ordered to fly at half-staff through the sunset of the date of the final victim’s funeral, and two of the four victims were interred on September 14.
Indiana is honoring Newton County Corporal Brandon Schreiber, after Governor Eric Holcomb ordered U.S. and Indiana state flags be flown at half-staff on September 20 following his death. Corporal Schreiber died after being injured in a shootout in Illinois on September 11, according to ABC7Chicago. The corporal had spent five years working for the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.
Flags will be flown at half-staff on September 21 in Alabama to honor the life of the late state Senator Priscilla Dunn, 80, a Democrat who passed away on September 17. Dunn served as the senator for Alabama from 2009 until 2022, and previously served as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives. Dunn will be interned on September 21. In a letter to the president of the Jefferson County Commission authorizing the lowering of the flag, Governor Kay Ivey described Senator Dunn as “a stalwart voice for her 19th Senate District and a consistent champion for education and women’s issues.”
Governor Andy Beshear has ordered flags on all state buildings in Kentucky to be flown at half-staff on September 21 in order to honor the life of Joshua Phipps, a Russell County Sheriff’s Deputy. Phipps, 38, lost his life after being shot by a suspect on September 16, and his funeral service will be held on the 21, with cremation services to follow. Russell County Sheriff Derek Polston described Phipps as “kind and brave,” to a local media outlet, and said that he died a Hero, doing what he liked, Protecting and Serving Russell County,” according to SpectrumNews1.
At Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s order, Michigan flags will be flown at half-staff on September 20 to honor the life of a Michigan State Police officer who died and has donated his organs. MSP officer Dan Kerstetter passed away on September 13 after he was rear-ended while at a traffic stop in his MSP SUV on the shoulder of the I-75, according to Yahoo News. In a statement, MSP Colonel James F. Grady II said, “We are heartbroken for this loss. Traffic enforcement is dangerous work. The dedication of our motor carrier officers and troopers to keeping the public safe on our roadways is commendable and honorable. With the decision to give the gift of life, even in his death, MC Officer Kerstetter is serving others,” according to Yahoo News.
Commonwealth of Virginia flags will be flown on September 20 by National POW/MIA Recognition Day, as ordered by Governor Glenn Youngkin. National POW/MIA Recognition Day honors prisoners of war or those who remain missing in action.
Like Virginia, Massachusetts will also fly the American and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag at half-staff on September 20 in observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, at the direction of Governor Maura Healey.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has also ordered that flags atop state and public buildings in the Palmetto state will be flown at half-staff in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, from sunrise until sunset.
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