Why will NC flags fly at half-staff on Friday? What to know
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- Flags will be flown at half-staff on May 15 for National Peace Officers Memorial Day.
- All US and NC flags at state facilities will be flown at half-staff.
- Three NC law enforcement officers have been killed in the line of duty so far in 2026.
Flags will be flown at half-staff on Friday, May 15, to honor law enforcement officers who died or were injured while in the line of duty.
Friday is National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, according to a state news release.
“We ask law enforcement officers to run toward danger when the rest of us might flee, and today we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe,” said Gov. Josh Stein in a news release. “We owe them a debt that we can never adequately repay, but we can offer them and their families our praise and gratitude – and to value the profession like it deserves.”
The memorial ceremony was held last month in Greensboro to honor four officers: Adrian Newton, Mark Laskowski, Francisco Flattes and Roger Smith.
There have been three law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty so far in 2026: Kaleb Mitchell with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and Steven J. Perry and Stien Davis, Jr., both with the North Carolina Highway Patrol, according to the North Carolina Department of Justice.
The Wake County Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Ceremony was held earlier this week, remembering 25 Wake County fallen law enforcement officers, according to the Raleigh Police Department.
Who decides when flags are at half staff?
Flags can be ordered lowered by the North Carolina Governor at state buildings and by a Presidential proclamation, which affects federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels.
“At no time shall an order be given that would result in the flag of the state of North Carolina being displayed in a manner inconsistent with the various policies governing the display of both the United States and North Carolina flags,” according to the flag code.
Stein previously ordered flags lowered to half-staff for a state trooper killed in a crash and after a state representative died from cancer, The N&O reported.
In addition to somber remembrances, the flags can be lowered for some holiday observances like:
- National Firefighters Memorial Day, first Sunday in May
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15
- Memorial Day, last Monday in May
- Patriot Day, Sept. 11
- Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7
Portions of this story were previously reported by The News & Observer.
