27-05-2025
Why are flags in Ohio flying at half-staff? American flag lowered most of May. Here's why
On Tuesday, May 27, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags be flown at half-staff to honor slain Morrow County Sheriff's Office deputy Daniel Sherrer.
Flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Sherrer's funeral, which had not been announced as of May 27. The deputy, 31, died in a Memorial Day shooting while responding to what officials are calling a "domestic violence situation."
If it seems like flags in Ohio have been flying at half-staff a lot lately, well — they have been. Through 27 days of May, flags have been lowered for at least 20 of them. And that number will grow with DeWine's latest order.
Here are all the times DeWine has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in May.
DeWine has ordered flags lowered six times so far in May 2025:
Honoring Daniel Sherrer: DeWine ordered flags lowered from May 27 through the dates of his funeral.
Recognizing Memorial Day: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff from 12:01 a.m. through Noon on May 26.
Honoring Symeon Williams: DeWine ordered flags lowered from May 17 through the May 29 funeral of Symeon Willams, a Cleveland fire cadet who died during training.
Recognizing Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff on May 15.
Honoring Larry Henderson: DeWine ordered flags lowered from May 4 to the May 9 funeral of Larry Henderson, the Hamilton County sheriff's deputy killed while directing traffic on May 2.
Recognizing the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff on May 4 for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to 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 a government official or military member; a national tragedy or a national day of remembrance, such as Patriot Day or Memorial Day.
Half-staff refers to flags on land. Flags are flown at half-mast on nautical vessels, such as a naval ship. But the purpose is the same for both.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: American flag flies half-staff for most of May in Ohio. Here's why
