Flags Fly at Half Staff on Tuesday, Peace Officers Memorial Day

Peace Officers Memorial Day is held annually in the United States on May 15 in honor of federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty. It is observed in conjunction with Police Week, which runs May 11 through May 19.

John Shondel, who created an email alert system on when and how to fly the flag, said flags should fly half-staff from sunrise through 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The Honor Guard will conduct a ceremony at 8 a.m. on May 15 at the

(police department), 32855 Walker Road lowering the US Flag to half-staff, firing three volleys and playing Taps to

The Honor Guard will be joined by members of the as well as representatives of the Fire Department and other city officials to honor fallen peace officers.

Shondel said the idea of a Peace Officers Memorial Day came into effect on October 1, 1961, when Congress asked the president to designate May 15 to honor law enforcement officers. President John F. Kennedy signed the bill into law on October 1, 1962 and each year, the president of the United States proclaims May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week of each year during which such May 15 occurs as Police Week.

Government officials are directed to display the United States flag at half staff on all government buildings.

“Peace Officers Memorial Day is an observance but it is not a federal public holiday in the United States,” Shondel said in an email alert. “Some people may take some time off work, such as an extended lunch break if a memorial service is held at noon, to attend a memorial service on this day.”

In Lorain County, officers, family members, officials and others gathered on May 12 for the annual Lorain County Police Memorial Service. The ceremony featured comments by U.S. Representative Betty Sutton and Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammiti. The Avon Lake police Color Guard provided a rifle salute and the Highway Patrol band played.