On Tuesday, May 27, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered flags be flown at half-staff to honor slain Morrow County Sheriff’s Office deputy Daniel Sherrer.
Flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Sherrer’s funeral, which had not been announced as of May 27. The deputy, 31, died in a Memorial Day shooting while responding to what officials are calling a “domestic violence situation.”
If it seems like flags in Ohio have been flying at half-staff a lot lately, well — they have been. Through 27 days of May, flags have been lowered for at least 20 of them. And that number will grow with DeWine’s latest order.
Here are all the times DeWine has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in May.
The flags being flown at half-staff in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, May 25, 2022.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine orders flags to fly at half-staff six times in May
DeWine has ordered flags lowered six times so far in May 2025:
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Honoring Daniel Sherrer: DeWine ordered flags lowered from May 27 through the dates of his funeral.
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Recognizing Memorial Day: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff from 12:01 a.m. through Noon on May 26.
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Recognizing Peace Officer Memorial Day and Police Week: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff on May 15.
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Recognizing the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service: DeWine ordered flags to fly at half-staff on May 4 for the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to USA.gov. Flags can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia. In most cases, flying the flag at half-staff marks a significant death, such as a government official or military member; a national tragedy or a national day of remembrance, such as Patriot Day or Memorial Day.
What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast?
Half-staff refers to flags on land. Flags are flown at half-mast on nautical vessels, such as a naval ship. But the purpose is the same for both.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: American flag flies half-staff for most of May in Ohio. Here’s why
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