Flags lowered for Timothy Bertz
Governor Tim Walz has ordered all the U.S. and Minnesota flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff beginning on Monday in honor of St. Paul Firefighter Timothy Bertz, who died Monday. Bertz graduated from the St. Paul Fire Academy on Dec. 17, just days before his death. St. Paul Fire Department stated he suffered a “serious medical event” at his home. RELATED: St. Paul Fire mourns death of firefighter days after his academy graduation He began his firefighting career in Harris in 2017 before moving to Lino Lakes. “Tim Bertz was the true definition of a public servant,” Walz said. “From serving his country as a Navy SEAL to fulfilling his lifelong dream of joining the Saint Paul Fire Department, Tim’s dedication to others left a lasting impact on the communities he served. Minnesota mourns his loss and extends our deepest condolences to his wife, Andrea, his family, friends, and fellow firefighters.”
Source: https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/gov-walz-orders-flags-to-fly-half-staff-in-honor-of-late-st-paul-firefighter/
Honoring Firefighter Timothy Bertz
Dec 29th through (to be determined).
Governor Tim Walz has ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota on Monday, December 29, 2025, in honor and remembrance of Firefighter Timothy Bertz, who tragically passed away on Monday, December 22, 2025.
“Tim Bertz was the true definition of a public servant,” said Governor Walz. “From serving his country as a Navy SEAL to fulfilling his lifelong dream of joining the Saint Paul Fire Department, Tim’s dedication to others left a lasting impact on the communities he served. Minnesota mourns his loss and extends our deepest condolences to his wife, Andrea, his family, friends, and fellow firefighters.”
Firefighter Bertz began his firefighting career in 2017 with the Harris Fire Department, later serving with the Lino Lakes Fire Department, and had just graduated from the Saint Paul Fire Academy on December 17, 2025. Despite his brief time with the department, his leadership and dedication left a profound impression on colleagues and the community.
Individuals, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to join in honoring Firefighter Bertz by lowering their flags.
Honoring Washington State Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting
Dec 27th through (to be determined).
I am deeply saddened by the death of Washington State Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting, 29, Badge #720, who tragically lost her life in the line of duty on Friday, December 19, 2025. I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in her memory on Saturday, December 27, 2025…. I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, December 26, 2025. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, December 27, 2025, or first thing Monday morning, December 29th. Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state…. Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.
Source: https://governor.wa.gov/office-governor/office/official-actions/directives
Honoring the Victims of the Silver Lake Nursing Home Explosion and Fire
Dec 24th through (to be determined).
On Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in accordance with the United States Flag Code, Governor Josh Shapiro ordered Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings, and grounds in Bucks County to fly at half-staff immediately to honor the victims of the explosion and fire that occurred on Tuesday, December 23, at Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, Pennsylvania. The flags shall remain at half-staff until Tuesday, December 30. All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.
Honoring Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar
Dec 15th through (to be determined).
Today, Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff effectively immediately until sunset on the final day of interment in honor and remembrance of Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard, 29, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa. Both were members of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment. The two Iowa Army National Guard Soldiers were killed in an enemy attack Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Palmyra, Syria.
Honoring Firefighter Michael Ryan
Dec 20th through (to be determined).
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be lowered on Saturday, December 20 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Michael Ryan, firefighter and commissioner for the Phoenicia Fire District who died in the line-of-duty on December 13, 2025 while responding to a report of an injured hiker. “With a distinguished career in the military, as a member of law enforcement and as a firefighter, Commissioner Michael Ryan spent more than four decades as a public servant working selflessly to protect others,” Governor Hochul said. “I extend my deepest condolences to Michael’s loved ones and colleagues as they remember his life and legacy. His unwavering dedication to service will not be forgotten.”
Honoring Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar
Dec 15th through (to be determined).
In honor and remembrance of Iowa National Guard soldiers Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, killed in an enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria while serving with the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment
Remembrance of Recent Tragedies
GOVERNOR GREEN ORDERS FLAGS LOWERED IN REMEMBRANCE
OF BROWN UNIVERSITY AND BONDI BEACH TRAGEDIES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2025
HONOLULU — Governor Josh Green has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawaiʻi state flag be flown at half-staff at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol, all state offices and agencies, and all Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities to honor the victims of the tragic shooting at Brown University and the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia.
Flags shall be lowered immediately and remain at half-staff through sunset on Friday, December 19.
“The people of Hawaiʻi stand with the communities at Brown University and in Sydney as they grieve these devastating losses,” said Governor Green. “Lowering our flags is a gesture of shared sorrow and resolve — a moment to honor every life taken, support the families forever changed and call for an end to the senseless violence that continues to wound our global community.”
Honoring Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard and Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar
Dec 15th through (to be determined).
See source for full text
Honoring Gerald McCormick
By order of the Governor, flags at the State Capitol shall be flown at half-staff effective from sunrise on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 until sunset on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 in memory of former State Representative Gerald McCormick who passed away on December 11, 2025 at the age of 63. Representative McCormick served as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 2004 until 2018 and as Majority Leader starting in 2011.