This is where flags flew at half-staff in May

Introduction

If you are driving around and notice the American or Arizona flags flying at half-staff, you may wonder why. Sure, you know when a former president has died, but sometimes these are done in memory of a tragic event.

For all of 2020, we are going to tell you when and why the flags for the United States of America or Arizona are flown at half-staff. We'll also toss in those notices for other states as well.

The source for much of this information is FlagSteward.org

According to USFlag.org, which links to a copy of the United States Code, when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be hoisted to the peak and then lowered to half-staff. At sunset the flag should be raised back to full-staff and then lowered slowly all the way down.

The U.S. flag must be flown at half-staff for the following office holders or former holders:

• President of the United States or former president: 30 days from the date of death.
• Vice President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, retired Chief Justice or Speaker of the House of Representatives: 10 days from the date of death.
• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former Vice President, President pro tempore of the Senate, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of the House: From the day of death until the date of interment.
• Unites States Senator, Representative, Delegate or the Resident Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: In the District of Columbia the flag will fly at half-staff on the day of death and the following day, in the state, congressional district, territory or commonwealth of the deceased, the flag will fly at half-staff from the day of death until interment.
• Governor: Within the state, the flag will fly at half-staff from the day of death until interment.

The Old Farmers' Almanac was also used as a source.

May 31, 2020

Virginia: As ordered by the Governor, Commonwealth (state) flags at government facilities will fly at half-staff Sunday, May 31, 2020, in honor of those who lost their lives one year ago in the Virginia Beach mass shooting.

May 30, 2020

Connecticut: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset May 30, 2020, in honor of Connecticut State Police Trooper Eugene Kenneth Baron Jr., who died May 25, 2020, from cancer as a result of his work on 9/11. His death is classified as a line of duty death.

May 29, 2020

Utah: All flags at public facilities across Ogden, Utah, will fly at half-staff until the date of his interment in honor of Officer Nate Lyday of the Ogden Police Department, who was shot and killed in the line of duty May 28, 2020.

May 28, 2020

Louisiana: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Thursday May 28, 2020, in honor of Louisiana State Police Trooper George Baker, who died in the line of duty.

May 27, 2020

Alaska: As ordered by the Governor, all state flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff from Wednesday May 27, 2020, until sunset Thursday, May 28, 2020, in honor of former Alaska State Representative Bob Lynn.

May 22, 2020

National half-staff: As ordered by the President, all U.S. flags along with all state and other flags flying where the U.S. flag is hoisted, will fly at half-staff from Friday, May 22, 2020, until sunset Sunday, May 24, 2020, in honor of the victims of the coronavirus pandemic.

North Carolina: As ordered by the Governor, all state flags at all public facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset Saturday, May 23, 2020, in honor of North Carolina Civil Rights Activist Andrea Harris.

Idaho: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at public facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset Saturday, May 23, 2020, in honor of Bonneville County Sheriff's Deputy Wyatt Maser, who was killed in the line of duty.

May 19, 2020

Vermont: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Tuesday, May 19, 2020, and the 19th of every month until the end of 2020, to honor all Vermonters lost to COVID-19.

Minnesota: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Tuesday, May 19, 2020, and the 19th of every month until the end of 2020, to honor all Minnesota residents lost to COVID-19.

Ohio: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at public facilities across Muskingum County and atop the Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center and Rhodes Tower will fly at half-staff Tuesday, May 19, 2020, until sunset on the date of the memorial service (TBD) in honor of Annie Glenn.

May 15, 2020

National half-staff alert: By Presidential Proclamation and U.S. Public Law 87-726, the U.S. flag and all state and other flags flying where U.S. flags are hoisted, will fly at half-staff Friday, May 15, 2020, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day, honoring 135 fallen law enforcement officers from 2019 and all other officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting our communities.

Wisconsin: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at government facilities will fly at half-staff Friday, May 15, 2020, and any day during ceremonies of Police Week, in honor of peace officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.

May 13, 2020

Ohio: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center and Rhodes Tower (all other state facilities are invited to join at their discretion) will fly at half-staff Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in honor of former Pickaway County Sheriff Dwight Radcliff, who served for 48 years.

Kansas: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Wednesday, May 13, 2020, in honor of Overland Park Police Officer Mike Mosher, who was killed in the line of duty May 3, 2020.

May 11, 2020

Texas: As ordered by the Governor, all flags in the Alamo College District will fly at half-staff from Monday, May 11, 2020, until sunset Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of Alamo College District Police Sergeant Lionel Q. Martinez, who was killed in the line of duty May 5, 2020.

May 10, 2020

Iowa: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff from Sunday, May 10, 2020 until sunset Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week.

May 8, 2020

Alaska: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff from Friday, May 8, 2020, until sunset Friday, May 15, 2020, in honor of former Lt. Governor Byron Mallott.

Georgia: All flags at city facilities in Atlanta will fly at half-staff from Friday, May 8, 2020, until a date to be determined to honor those lost to COVID-19.

May 2, 2020

North Carolina: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset Monday, May 4, 2020, in honor of former State Senator and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand.

May 1, 2020

New Jersey: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Friday, May 1, 2020, in honor of former New Jersey First Lady Debby Kean.

Indiana: As ordered by the Governor, all flags in Marion County and at all Indiana Department of Corrections facilities in the state will fly at half-staff Friday, May 1, 2020, in honor of Indiana Women's Prison Correctional Officer Francine Earls, who died of COVID-19 complications.

Indiana: As ordered by the Governor, all flags in Greene and Sullivan counties and all Indiana Department of Corrections facilities in the state will fly at half-staff Friday, May 1, 2020, in honor of Wabash Valley Correctional Officer Gary Weinke, who died of COVID-19 complications.

Maryland: As ordered by the Governor, all state flags at all state facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset May 3, 2020, in honor of COVID-19 victims, Fallen Heroes Day and Healthcare Heroes.