Honoring Firefighters Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis announced that all flags on state buildings will fly at half-staff on the memorials of three heroes: Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson, U.S. Wildland Fire Service wildland firefighters who died responding to the Snyder Mesa Fire burning in Mesa County. This fire is currently estimated to be over 28,000 acres. More details will follow once memorial dates are selected
The US Department of the Interior released the names of the fallen earlier this morning. Emily Barker, 38, of Clinton Township, Michigan, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Rifle Helitack. Nick Hutcherson, 27, of Glendale, Arizona, was assigned to the U.S. Forest Service Kaibab National Forest. Sydney Watson, 26, of Warrior, Alabama, was assigned to the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Rifle Helitack.
“Firefighters face incredible risk and put their lives on the line to respond to wildfires, keep Coloradans safe, and protect our communities. I was devastated to hear that Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, and Sydney Watson made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us. I and every Coloradan are deeply grateful for their bravery and service and my thoughts are with their families, friends and fellow crew members. I have ordered flags to fly at half-staff on the days of each of their memorials once selected to honor their sacrifice,” said Governor Polis.
On Saturday, Governor Polis verbally declared a disaster emergency in response to the Snyder Mesa Fire in Mesa County and authorized the National Guard to support efforts to recover the three firefighters who gave their lives in response to the Snyder Mesa Fire. The Governor also released a statement outlining the state’s coordination with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service to rescue and evacuate two injured firefighters hurt in the line of duty with one of the Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Bell 205 helicopters.
Honoring the Granite Mountain Hotshots
Governor Katie Hobbs has ordered flags at all state buildings to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on June 30 in honor of the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Crew. During the Yarnell Hill Fire in 2013, 19 of the 20 members of this highly trained and specialized wildland firefighter crew tragically died in the line of duty.
The Governor released the following statement:
“Hotshot crews take on dangerous and difficult firefighting to keep Arizona communities safe. We recognize and honor the sacrifice and bravery of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. This will always be a day we mark with mourning, reflection, and deep admiration for the members of this crew, their families, and the wildland firefighting community.”
Arizona State Parks is hosting a remembrance event ( https://azstateparks.com/hotshots/events/granite-mountain-hotshots-remembrance ) on June 30 at 4:15 p.m. in downtown Yarnell. You can learn more about the firefighters who perished in the largest loss of life among firefighters since 9/11 at the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Park website ( https://azstateparks.com/hotshots/the-hotshots/about-the-hotshots ).
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
Honoring Maj. Gen. David P. Rataczak
Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Monday, June 22.
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on June 22, 2026, in honor of the interment of retired Maj. Gen. David P. Rataczak, who served as Arizona Adjutant General and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs from June 1999 to December 2008. A funeral service is scheduled for June 22; he passed away on June 5 at the age of 81.
Maj. Gen. Rataczak began his military career ( https://www.nationalguard.mil/portals/31/Features/ngbgomo/bio/6/616.html ) by enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1965. After completing aviation training, he was assigned to the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, First Aviation Brigade, in Vietnam. There, he flew more than 1,000 combat hours.
After his active duty service, Maj. Gen. Rataczak was appointed as an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard before transferring to the Arizona Army National Guard in 1982, where he served in a variety of roles, including as Commander, 385th Aviation Group, and Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard. In 1996, he was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, before being appointed Adjutant General in June 1999.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Vietnam Campaign Medal, among many others.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“I’m sending my deep condolences to Major General Rataczak’s family and extending my gratitude for his decades of service. I know Arizonans join me in honoring his leadership and his legacy.”
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices ( https://az.gov/half-staff-notices ).
Honoring Converse Alvah Chellis, III
2026-06-18 The Governor orders that flags atop the State Capitol be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in honor of Converse Alvah Chellis, III, and in recognition of his extraordinary legacy and lifetime of service to the State of South Carolina, including as South Carolina State Treasurer and as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.
The Governor requests that the flags over state buildings and buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.
Source: Email from: SC.GOV No Reply on: 2026-06-17T19:53:46.000Z
Commemoration of Pulse Nightclub Victims
Ten years ago, on June 12, 2016, a shooter claiming alliance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant committed a horrific act of terrorism at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where forty-nine people were killed and fifty-three were wounded. Accordingly, in remembrance, 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 Friday, June 12, 2026.
Honoring Firefighter Harold Osborn
INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Mike Braun has directed flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Seelyville Volunteer Firefighter Harold Osborn, who died on June 9, 2026.
Osborn proudly served Vigo County and the community of Seelyville as a volunteer firefighter for 30 years, 16 of which he served as Chief. He also served as a reserve deputy for the Vigo County Sheriff’s Department.
Governor Braun has ordered flags to be lowered in Vigo County from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, June 13, 2026, the day of Osborn’s funeral.
Governor Braun encourages all Hoosiers in Vigo County to help honor Harold Osborn by lowering flags to half-staff at their homes and businesses.
Honoring Boyd LaVell Eddins
*For Immediate Release*
*Governor Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff for Death of Former Wyoming Legislator Boyd LaVell Eddins*
*CHEYENNE, Wyo. – June 5, 2026* – Governor Mark Gordon has ordered the Wyoming flags to be lowered to half-staff in Lincoln County and at the Wyoming Capitol from sunrise to sunset, Saturday, June 6, 2026.
Representative Eddins served as Lincoln County Commissioner from 1978 to 1982. He then served in the Wyoming State Senate for a total of fourteen years from 1982 to 1996, leaving office as he finished his last term as Senate President.
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For more information:
Amy Edmonds, Communications Director, amy.edmonds@wyo.gov
Janelle Collins, Strategic Communications Director, janelle.collins@wyo.gov
Source: https://governor.wyo.gov
Honoring Deputy Logan Utt
Virginia Office of Governor Commonwealth of Virginia Office of Governor Abigail Spanberger Governor’s Flag Order in Memory and Respect of Deputy Logan Utt In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half-staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and respect of Deputy Logan Utt of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, whose life of service, courage, and sacrifice exemplified the highest ideals of law enforcement and public service.
Deputy Utt faithfully served the citizens of Carroll County and the Commonwealth of Virginia with honor, integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to protecting others — a calling that began with his service as a volunteer firefighter with the Cana Volunteer Fire Department and continued through his service in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, Deputy Utt joined the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, where his selfless spirit and unwavering dedication to the safety of the community earned him the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. On May 29, 2026, while responding to a welfare check in Carroll County, Deputy Utt made the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of his duties — giving his life while serving and protecting others. Deputy Utt’s actions illuminate the extraordinary courage and devotion to duty that define the law enforcement profession and demonstrated his willingness to place himself in harm’s way for the protection of his community. His sacrifice serves as a solemn reminder of the risks faced daily by law enforcement public servants who stand watch over our communities. My heart is with his wife and small children, who should know a grateful Commonwealth thanks him for his service and sacrifice. I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Friday, June 5, 2026, and remain at half-staff until sunset.
Ordered on this, the 3rd Day of June, 2026. Sincerely, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor Virginia Office of Governor | P.O. Box 1475 | Richmond, VA 23218 US Unsubscribe | Constant Contact Data Notice
Source: Email from: Virginia Office of the Governor on 2026-06-03T23:20:24.000Z
Honoring William Cory “Liam” Price
Governor Laura Kelly, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, today directed flags throughout the State of Kansas be flown at half-staff from sunup to sundown on Thursday, June 4, 2026, in honor of Ford County firefighter and paramedic William Cory “Liam” Price, who died in the line of duty.
“William Cory “Liam” Price’s commitment to serving Kansans as a firefighter and paramedic in communities across our state will not be forgotten,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I extend my sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this unimaginable time.”
Source: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSOG/bulletins/41a12d2
Honoring Firefighter/Paramedic Demair Lloyd
This is to advise that Governor Wes Moore ordered the Maryland Flag lowered to half-staff effective immediately.
This action is for Firefighter/Paramedic Demair Lloyd of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department who passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Source: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/MDSOS/subscriber/new?preferences=true