September 10, 2013
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today ordered U.S. flags on all state buildings and within the state Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff in honor of Michigan State Police Trooper Paul Butterfield, who died as a result of injuries suffered in the line of duty on Sept. 9. Flags should be returned to full-staff after his funeral service.
“It is with a heavy heart that we ask flags to be lowered in honor of a brave man who gave his life in service to others,” Snyder said. “We continue to keep Trooper Butterfield’s family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers.”
Butterfield, who was stationed out of the Hart Post, joined the state police in 1999 after graduating from the 118th Trooper Recruit School. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.
This flag order is in accordance with Executive Order 2006-10. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the U. S. flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
While U.S. flags will be lowered to half-staff on all state buildings and within the state Capitol Complex in honor of Trooper Butterfield, on Wednesday, Sept. 11, they will also be done so in observance of Patriot Day.
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