LANSING – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, May 15 in recognition of Peace Officer Memorial Day during Police Week.

“Today, we honor the memories of dedicated public safety officials who we have lost in the line of duty,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We owe these fallen men and women a debt that we cannot pay back, and we are grateful for their service to our communities.”

Peace Officers Memorial Day falls within National Police Week, which was established by Congress in 1962 to recognize law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and is observed from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16 of this year.

The State of Michigan honors Peace Officer Memorial Day by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, May 16.