Staff Reports
Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags at half-staff in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day, according to the Governor’s press office.
The Governor said he was following a presidential directive.
“As a mark of respect for all law enforcement officers who have bravely sacrificed their lives to protect and defend the citizens of this great country, and to commemorate Peace Officers Memorial Day, President Donald J. Trump directed all flags to be lowered to half-staff,” DeSantis said in a statement.
“Pursuant to this direction, and to honor those who serve in law enforcement and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout the State of Florida from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday.”
In 1962, “President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week,” according to the Policeweek.org website.
“Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world will converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
One comment
David McCallister
May 15, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Thank you to Governor DeSantis and President Trump for extending this honor as a nationwide and statewide recognition of the importance of law enforcement officers in our society, and especially when their public service ends in sacrifice.
It is sad that the Florida Legislature apparently does not respect law enforcement officers as much as the Governor. The Soldiers and Heroes Monuments and Memorials Protection Act – HB 97 and SB 288 – was not even heard in committees during this legislative session. Leadership needs to lead. The legislators of Florida need to show the citizens that not only are veterans respected; but law enforcement officers and other first responders are also given proper recognition, and their memorials given proper protection. When a memorial monument is raised, it needs to be protected- and be seen by all to be protected – by law. Anything less is base hypocrisy.
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