Why are flags at half-staff today? How long will they be lowered? What to know
Henderson, a special deputy who retired in December after working 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, was working a traffic detail on May 2 during a commencement ceremony at the University of Cincinnati when he was fatally struck and killed. The father of an 18-year-old shot and killed by a Cincinnati police officer investigating a report of a stolen vehicle has been charged in the crash that killed Henderson.
According to a press release from the governor's office, on Monday, May 5, DeWine ordered that U.S. and Ohio flags be flown at half-staff on all public buildings and grounds throughout Hamilton County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower. Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Henderson's funeral on Friday, May 9.
All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly flags at half-staff at their discretion during this time.
Flags will remain at half-staff in Hamilton County until sunset on the day of Henderson's funeral on Friday, May 9.
Flags are flown at half-mast on ships and at naval stations. On shore, flags are flown at half-staff, meaning the flagpole is attached to a building or stuck in the ground.
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to USA.gov.
Flags can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia. In most cases, flying the flag at half-staff marks a significant death, such as one of a government official or military member, a national tragedy or a national day of remembrance, such as Memorial Day or Patriots' Day, which occurs annually Sept. 11 in memory of the victims who died in the 2001 attacks.
Henderson retired in December after working 33 years with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, according to a Facebook post on Dec. 20. He worked as a bomb technician and was a member of the dive team that performed water rescues and searches. After retirement, he continued to serve as a special deputy.
He still worked traffic details like the one outside a May 2 commencement ceremony at the University of Cincinnati, where he was fatally struck and killed.
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey described him as a 'tremendous person.' The sheriff also said that Henderson's badge number, #129, will be retired.
Public visitation: Friday, May 9, 9 to 11 a.m. at Cintas Center, 1624 Musketeer Drive.
Public service: Friday, May 9, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Cintas Center, 1624 Musketeer Drive.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Why are flags at half-staff in Cincinnati? What to know
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