Peace Officers
Memorial Day is designated in honor of the Federal, State and Municipal
officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.This day, May 15th of each year,
ensures that the valor of the more than 15,000 law enforcement officers lost
since 1794 will never be forgotten.On
this day, the Flag of the United States should be displayed at half-staff in
honor of those Peace Officers.
Public Law
87-726, amended by Public Law 103-322, authorizes the President to issue
appropriate proclamations and directs that the Flag of the United States be
flown at half-staff on May 15th.These laws and the related Presidential proclamations invite the
governments of the States and communities and the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.The calendar week during which May 15th occurs is designated as Police Week in recognition of the service given by the
men and women who stand guard in our midst to protect us through the
enforcement of our laws.
The U.S. Flag is
lowered to half-staff at the direction of the President of the United States as
a mark of respect, memorializing, or mourning for the death of certain individuals.When the U.S. Flag is flown at half-staff,
no other flag can be flown at full-staff.It is disrespectful to fly any flag higher than the U.S. Flag (there are
two exceptions).
For U.S. Flags that can not be flown at half-staff, such as a flag displayed against a wall or
on a short pole on the front of a building, the use of black “ribbons or
streamers” as a sign of mourning is appropriate.The black streamers or ribbons should be attached at the top of the
pole just below the finial.The streamers
should not be attached to the flag
