Why Flags Are at Half-Staff in Six States Today, This Weekend

Governors in six states have ordered flags to be lowered in honor of the lives of several public servants, including two U.S. senators, and two police officers who were shot and killed in the line of duty.

Flags will be flown at half-staff in North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Arkansas and Idaho, recognizing their dedication to public life.

Among them are former Democratic Florida Senator and Governor Bob Graham and former Democratic Arkansas Senator and Governor David Hampton Pryor, both of whom died this month.

Florida

Graham, who will lie in state Friday at Florida's Capitol in Tallahassee, served as the state's 38th governor for 10 years and as a U.S. senator from 1987 to 2005.

Graham joined the Florida House of Representatives in 1966 and became a member of the Florida Senate in 1970. He served three terms as a U.S. senator and made an unsuccessful bid for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.

Graham was an early opponent of the Iraq War, campaigning for the presidential nomination on that position, and criticized President George W. Bush for not having an occupation plan for Iraq after Saddam Hussein was toppled.

His death was announced by his family on April 16. He was 87.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, first lady Adele Graham, four children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered U.S. and Florida flags to be lowered "at all local and state buildings, installations and grounds throughout the state" until sunset on April 26.

Arkansas

Arkansas will honor its own former governor and U.S. senator, David Hampton Pryor, who died on April 20 at age 89.

Pryor was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1966, serving until 1973, before becoming governor in 1975. During that time, he focused much of his attention on the fair treatment of the elderly, going undercover in nursing homes from 1966 to 1973, and uncovering bad practices. He later became chair of the Senate Aging Committee.

Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders ordered the U.S. and state flags to be lowered to half-staff from April 22 to sunset on the day of internment.

Pryor is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara, his three sons, and other family members.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper has directed flags to be lowered for former Court of Appeals Chief Judge John C. Martin.

Martin served the state as superior court judge for seven years, an appellate judge for more than 24 years, and 10 years as chief judge of the Court of Appeals.

He died at his Raleigh home on April 9 at age 80. He is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren. A memorial service is being held Friday.

"The Honorable John C. Martin was an exemplary public servant and judge who served the state for over 30 years on the bench," Cooper said in a statement. "I was saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and loved ones at this time."

North Carolina and state flags will be lowered at state facilities until Friday evening.

Ohio

In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine has directed flags to be lowered in memory of Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray.

Wray served for 16 years at the department, appointed twice, a department record, once by Governor John Kasich and once by Governor George Voinovich.

"Fran and I were saddened to learn of the death of our friend Jerry Wray," Governor DeWine said in a statement.

"I first met Jerry in 1989 when he was Licking County Engineer. As lieutenant governor, I got to work closely with him.

"Jerry focused on reengineering ODOT to meet the needs of the modern era during the Voinovich administration and established the Transportation Review Advisory Council to ensure Ohio has an open and transparent project selection process."

Wray died at age 78 on April 23 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is survived by his wife, Eva, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

DeWine has ordered that the U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff at all Ohio Department of Transportation facilities until the day of his funeral, on April 30. On that day, the flags on all public buildings and grounds in Licking County, at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center and Rhodes State Office Tower will also be lowered.

Idaho

Governor Brad Little has directed U.S. and state flags to be lowered in honor of Ada County Deputy Tobin Bolter, who was shot and killed in the line of duty.

Bolter died on April 21, the day he was shot while carrying out a traffic stop. According to Ada County Sheriff's Office, the driver shot Bolter as he approached the car's window and then fled the scene.

The Ada County Coroner's Office identified 65-year-old Dennis Mulqueen of Boise, Idaho, as the man who killed him. According to the Idaho Statesman, Mulqueen died following an altercation with police after he fled the scene.

Bolter, who was 27, had seven years of law enforcement experience and had been with the Ada County Sherriff's Office since January.

A GoFundMe page was set up by local law enforcement, aiming to raise $150,000 for Bolter's family, including his expectant wife, Abbey.

A statement from his family on that page reads: "As a peace officer, Tobin was able to faithfully serve and protect his community because his foundation was deeply rooted in the hope of the gospel; he lived without fear.

"Tobin's vivacious spirit and selfless care for others were an encouragement to all who knew him."

Little ordered flags to be lowered until the day following Bolter's memorial service, which is April 30.

"Our hearts break for the family, loved ones and law enforcement colleagues of Deputy Tobin Bolter," Little said. "Day in and day out, our brave men and women in blue put themselves in harm's way to protect us and keep our communities safe. Idaho is grieving this devastating loss."

Illinois

Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca, who was shot and killed on April 21 driving home after his shift, has been honored by Governor J.B. Pritzker.

Huesca, 30, was shot and had his car stolen. His killer is still at large. According to an ABC News report, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called Huesca's death "an act of unconscionable gun violence in our city."

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said Huesca was "a victim of the type of crime that he was working against to keep people safe in this city."

"He was just a great officer, a great human being and his family is dealing with a lot right now," he added. "My condolences go out to the family. We really need to keep the family, his mother in our prayers. These are senseless, senseless crimes that are taking the lives of our community members. Today, one of our officers."

A $10,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest; those with information should contact the Chicago Police Department tip line.

A six-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, Huesca is survived by his parents, siblings, nieces and nephews. He is to be interred on April 29.

Pritzker ordered the U.S. and state flags to be lowered by all "person and entities" covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act until sunset on the day of interment.