Flag Lowering

Sign up to be notified by Email when Governor Gregoire directs flags be lowered to half-staff.

May 15 Flag Lowering

Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, May 15, for Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Please notify your staff and all of your field offices and facilities around the state.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, May 16.

The annual Peace Officers Memorial Day was created by Congress in 1962 to honor public safety officers.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

The White House Presidential Proclamation

Governor Gregoire will direct the flag to be lowered to half-staff on these occasions:

  • Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15 (unless that day is also Armed Forces Day);

  • Patriot Day, September 11;

  • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7;

  • In the event of the death of a principal federal and state government official;

  • In the event of the death of a state government employee, or a member of the public safety community, killed in the line of duty; and

  • In the event of the death of a member of the armed forces from Washington state while serving on active duty.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

More information on the US and Washington flags

The Flag Code - Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1

Latest Flag Lowering Notices

Directives issued by Governor Gregoire

Flag lowering archive »