Washington state’s flags will fly at half-staff on May 15 to honor law enforcement officers who died or were injured in duty, part of National Police Week.
SEATTLE — Washington state and U.S. flags will be lowered to half-staff Friday in observance of Annual Peace Officers Memorial Day.
The order applies to all state agency facilities across Washington on May 15, 2026. Flags will remain at half-staff until the close of business or sunset Friday.
State officials also asked agencies to notify field offices and facilities statewide about the directive. Other government agencies, businesses and individuals are being encouraged to participate in the recognition as well.
Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed each year on May 15 to honor local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty. The observance is part of National Police Week, which recognizes the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers across the country.
The day was established in 1962 after President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which it falls as Police Week.
The governor’s office directs flags to be lowered to half-staff in the event of a death of a government official or civil rights leader, as well as government and public safety employees and Washington servicemembers killed in the line of duty. When the U.S. president issues a flag-lowering order, Ferguson makes a corresponding directive.
There are three additional remembrance days that Ferguson has directed flags be lowered this year:
– May 25: Memorial Day (flag lowered sunrise to noon)
– Sept. 11: Patriot Day
– Dec. 7: National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
To ensure diverse coverage and expert insight across a wide range of topics, our publication features contributions from multiple staff writers with varied areas of expertise.
