Why Flags Are Half-Mast in Five States Today

Five governors have ordered flags be flown at half-staff today in honor of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty, and the deaths of a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, and a Democratic state senator.

Under the U.S. Flag Code, national flags can be flown at half-staff after the death of a serving or former official or serving member of the armed forces of a state, territory or possession of the United States.

Flags in the U.S. are on occasions lowered for non-Americans, such as to mark the death of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1965 and Pope John Paul II in 2005.

Minnesota

In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz has ordered U.S. and state flags to remain at half-staff until further notice following the deaths of police officers Paul Elmstrand, 27, Matthew Ruge, 27, and firefighter-paramedic Adam Finseth, 40, who were shot and killed during a violent standoff on February 18, 2024.

The three men were killed after officers responded to reports of a domestic incident at a property in Burnsville, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement.

They encountered 38-year-old Shanon Gooden who refused to leave the property and said he was unarmed with children inside.

Officers entered the home and negotiated with him for three-and-a-half hours before Gooden opened fire without warning. Ruge, Elmstrand, and another officer, Sgt. Adam Medlicott, were said to have been shot inside the property. Medlicott and another officer, Daniel Wical, returned fire, striking Gooden in the leg.

Ruge and Medlicott were shot a second time as they moved away from the property toward an armored vehicle. Finseth was shot as he tried to aid the officers. Elmstrand, Ruge, and Finseth were later pronounced dead at Hennepin County Medical Center.

Gooden continued to shoot at officers from his home before later dying by suicide. Minnesota officials said he fired more than 100 rifle rounds during the incident.

Elmstrand’s wife, Cindy Elmstrand-Castruita, said their family was “heartbroken” by his death.

“He was an amazing husband, father, son, and friend to many. He loved to laugh and loved to play. He was the most generous, loving, patient person I’ve ever known with the biggest smile.”

Elmstrand-Castruita added her husband “loved his job as a police officer and had a strong bond with those he worked with, but he always placed his family first.”

Alongside his wife, Elmstrand is also survived by two children, María and Mateo, and parents Rod and Sara Elmstrand, among other family members.

Elmstrand joined the Burnsville Police Department in 2017 as a Community Service Officer, promoted to Officer in 2019.

Firefighter and paramedic Adam Finseth (L) and officers Matthew Ruge (center) and Paul Elmstrand (R) were shot and killed while responding to reports of a domestic incident. Boston Police Department

Adam Finseth’s wife, Tara, said in a statement “To say that our family is devastated at the loss of our Adam is an understatement.”

“Adam was one of the most selfless and humble individuals you would ever meet. His dedication to his family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, community, and country was unwavering,” she added.

“His warm smile, contagious laugh and genuine personality will be deeply missed by so many. Although our forever hero is no longer with us, his soul will live on through me, his children, family, friends, and community.”

Fineseth, who also served in the U.S. Army, completing two tours of Iraq and achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant, had been a Burnsville firefighter-paramedic since February 2019. An obituary states alongside his wife, he is survived by children Liam and Nora, and parents, Brad and Brenda, among other family members.

Members of Officer Matthew Ruge’s community offered their tributes in a report published in Minnesota’s Star Tribune.

Jon Auge, who taught Ruge in seventh and eighth grade, said: “You just knew that whatever he did in life he was gonna be good at.” English teacher Cris Medina said Ruge was “was a great role model for his peers and was always respectful.”

Ruge joined the Burnsville Police Department in April 2020. He was part of the department’s crisis negotiations team, and was a physical evidence officer.

A public memorial service for the three men will be held on Wednesday, February 28, at Grace Church in Eden Prarie at 11 a.m.

Wyoming

In Wyoming, tributes have been paid to Sergeant Nevada Krinkee, 33, who was shot and killed while serving a trespass warning on February 13, 2024.

A report by The suspect Scripps Local Media, said the suspect, who has not been named, barricaded himself in a property and refused to surrender. Following more than 24 hours of negotiation, he was shot and killed by police as he attempted to flee the building with a weapon.

Wyoming newspaper Greybull Standard said Krinkee spent eight years in the U.S. Army as airborne infantry and was deployed to Afghanistan, protecting children going to and from school.

An obituary states he joined the Sheridan Police Department in 2017, becoming a Corporal in 2019 and a Sergeant in 2022. He is survived by his wife, Karla, and daughter, Bella, among other family members. A procession and memorial service for Krinkee will be held on March 1, along with a private family internment.

Nevada Krinkee Sheridan Police Department

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon ordered U.S. and Wyoming flags to be lowered half-staff on February 13 at the Capitol building and in Sheridan County, with flags to be lowered statewide on Friday, March 1, the day of Krinkee’s internment.

“I join all of Wyoming in mourning the loss of Sheridan Police Sergeant Nevada Krinkee,” Gordon said in a statement.

“This senseless killing is a solemn reminder of the selfless risks our law enforcement officers take each day when they put on the badge. Jennie and I extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Sergeant Krinkee, the Sheridan Police Department, and the entire law enforcement community.”

Georgia

In Georgia, flags will be lowered on February 27 in honor of State Patrol Trooper Chase Redner, who was struck and killed by a vehicle while investigating a crash in Clayton County on February 20.

Redner, 31, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A report by Fox 5 Atlanta states that authorities have not released details about the driver of the car or if charges are pending.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety Redner had been employed with the department since September 2017 and was a graduate of the 103rd Trooper School.

An obituary said Redner was a “devoted son, friend, and patriot” who “loved serving his state and country” and was engaged to be married.”

Trooper First Class Chase Redner of the Georgia State Patrol in Georgia who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Boston Police Department

He is survived by his mother, Linda Stancil-Redner, and his fiancé, Leah Owens, as well as other family members.

A funeral is being held at the Canton First Baptist Church today at 10 a.m.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has ordered that U.S. and State of Georgia flags on the State Capitol building in Cherokee Country and at all Department of Public Safety locations throughout the state to be lowered today in honor.

Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, Governor Maura Healey has ordered U.S. and Commonwealth of Massachusetts flags to be flown half-staff until Friday, March 1, 2024, in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Carlos Dickey, who died on February 13, 2024.

Sgt. Dickey, 29, formerly of Lowell, Massachusetts, of the U.S. Army, 3rd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment, died unexpectedly while stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia.

An obituary states that Dickey received multiple service awards including the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, and an Army Good Conduct Medal, and was described as an “excellent soldier” by his superior officers.

He is survived by his wife, Chelsea, mother, Maria, and seven-year-old son Brennan, among other family members.

His funeral will be held on Friday, followed by a procession and burial with military honors at Lowell Cemetery on Knapp Ave. in Lowell.

Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, flags have been lowered for Democratic Senator Frank Lombardo, who died on February 21, 2024.

Lombardo, who has represented District 25 (Johnston) in the Rhode Island Senate since 2010, died aged 65, following a battle with bladder cancer.

A statement by the State of Rhode Island General Assembly, said Lombardo was a “passionate and effective representative of his constituents, and he embodied the spirit of collegiality and service to which every member of the Senate aspires.”

Senate Majority Leader Ryan W. Pearson said “Frank was not only a well-respected colleague but a dear friend.

“He never shied from giving tough feedback or challenging your thinking. That same spirit also extended to his adventurous hobbies where he challenged and beat me down every ski mountain he could complete with a lot of commentary about it.”

Rhode Island State Senator Frank Lombardo, who has died aged 65, has represented District 25 (Johnston) in the Rhode Island Senate since 2010. State of Rhode Island General Assembly

Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, who has directed Rhode Island state flags to be flown at half-staff at all state facilities and buildings until sunset on Tuesday, February 27, called Lombardo “a dedicated and passionate leader who worked to make Rhode Island a better place for everyone. While his legacy will live on, he will be deeply missed.”

He is survived by his wife Patricia, and his children Frank and Victoria, among other family members.

A funeral is being held on Tuesday at the Tucker-Quinn Funeral Chapel in Greenville.

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