Flag Lowering - September 26, 2026 (Former Legislator Mike Cooper)

Gov. Bob Ferguson: 

I am deeply saddened by the death of former Legislator Mike Cooper, and direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, September 25, 2026. 

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, September 26, 2026, or first thing Monday morning, September 28th.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A celebration of life will take place on September 26, 2026, at the Olympia First Baptist Church at 2PM.

Please email FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff September 11, 2026 Patriot Day

Flag Lowering - September 11, 2026 (Patriot Day)

Gov. Bob Ferguson hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Friday, September 11, 2026, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff August 25, 2026 (Dolly Parton)

Courtesy American Library Association

Flag Lowering - August 25, 2026 (Dolly Parton)

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation, I hereby direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor and remembrance of Dolly Parton.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

Please notify all of your field offices and facilities around the state.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

--Gov. Bob Ferguson

Read more...

Flag Lowering - July 14, 2026 (Sen. Lindsey Graham)

Gov. Bob Ferguson:

Flag Lowering - July 14, 2026 (Sen. Lindsey Graham)

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation, I hereby direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately.

Flags should remain at half-staff until 6:00pm on Saturday, July 18, 2026, or first thing Monday morning, July 20th.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at half-staff May 31, 2026

Flag Lowering - May 31, 2026 (Longview Tragedy)

Governor Ferguson: 

I am deeply saddened by the recent industrial tragedy that occurred in Longview, Washington, at the Nippon Dynawave facility. 

This mass casualty event has devastated Washington state. We grieve with the Longview community and the impacted families. 

I hereby direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in their memory on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, May 29, 2026. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, June 7, 2026, or first thing Monday morning, June 8, 2026.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-staff May 30, 2026

Flag Lowering - May 30, 2026 (Former Senator and Representative Sam Hunt)

From Gov. Ferguson:

I am deeply saddened by the death of former Senator and Rep. Samuel “Sam” Hunt, and direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, May 29, 2026. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, May 30, 2026, or first thing Monday morning, June 1, 2026.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A memorial service will take place on May 30, 2026, in Olympia, WA.

Read more...

Flags at half-staff for Memorial Day May 25, 2026

Flag Lowering - May 25, 2026 (Memorial Day)

Gov. Bob Ferguson hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Monday, May 25, 2026, in recognition of Memorial Day. 

This federal holiday is in remembrance of those who lost their lives while serving in the country’s armed forces.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, May 22, 2026. Flags should remain at half-staff until noon on Monday, May 25, 2026, or first thing Tuesday morning, May 26, 2026.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-staff May 15, 2026 for Peace Officers Memorial Day

Flag Lowering - May 15, 2026 (Peace Officers Memorial Day)

Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities will be lowered to half-staff on Friday, May 15, 2026, in recognition of the Annual Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, May 15, 2026.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff April 10, 2026 for Major Ariana Savino

From Governor Ferguson

Flag Directive - April 10, 2026 (Major Ariana Savino)

I am deeply saddened by the death of United States Air Force Major Ariana Savino, 31, from Covington, Washington, who died on March 12, 2026, in an incident in Western Iraq while on active duty. 

I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in their memory on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, April 10, 2026.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff March 11, 2026 for Rev. Jesse Jackson

Governor Bob Ferguson

I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in memory of the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. 

A lifelong champion of justice and icon of the civil rights movement, his efforts improved the lives of underserved communities throughout the United States and inspired others to pursue a life in public service. 

Rev. Jackson’s work included deep and lifelong ties to Washington state, including prominently advocating for peace between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle and preaching a message of peace, justice, and quality from the pulpit of Mount Zion Church in Seattle. 

His loss is deeply felt by many, though his legacy exemplifies that a life lived with dignity in the service of others can change lives for the better, and will be long remembered. Rev. Jackson passed away on February 17, 2026.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff December 7, 2025 for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

From Governor Ferguson

I hereby direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, December 7, 2025, for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. 

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was created by Congress in 1994 in honor of those Americans killed or injured as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, December 5, 2025. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, December 7, 2025, or first thing Monday morning, December 8th.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff for Former Vice President Richard Cheney

F

Flags were at half-staff on Wednesday, November t, 2025 in honor of Former Vice President Richard Cheney who died on November 4, 2025 at the age of 84.

Richard “Dick” Cheney was vice president to George W. Bush during the time of the Twin Towers attack.

Read more...

Flags at half-staff October 17, 2025 (Aviation Mishap)

From Governor Bob Ferguson

I am deeply saddened by the deaths of four Washington-based soldiers whose lives were lost on September 17, 2025, while serving on active duty in the United States Army: Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Cully, from Sparta, Missouri, Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Kraus, from Sanibel, Florida, Sergeant Donavon Scott, from Tacoma, Washington, and Sergeant Jadalyn Good, from Mount Vernon, Washington. 

I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in their memory on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, October 17, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff October 15, 2025

From Governor Bob Ferguson

Flag Lowering - October 15, 2025 (Colleen Bass)

I am deeply saddened by the death of Eastern State Hospital Security Guard Colleen Bass, 57, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on Saturday, September 27, 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 Wednesday, October 15, 2025. A private memorial service will be held on that date.

Flags should remain at half-staff until the close of business or sunset on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

More information about the death here

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff for Victims of Political Violence

Flag Directive - September 11, 2025 (Victims of Political Violence)

From Gov. Bob Ferguson

On September 8, 2025, I directed that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, and consistent with state policy, I hereby extend that directive in memory of Charles Kirk.

Additionally, as governor, I am also directing that the flags be lowered in memory of all victims of political violence, including Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were assassinated June 14, 2025, as well as Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were seriously injured in an attempted assassination the same day.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Read more...

Flags at Half-staff for Patriot Day September 11, 2025

Flag Directive - September 11, 2025 (Patriot Day)

Governor Bob Ferguson

I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Thursday, September 11, 2025, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Please email FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Sign up to be notified by email when Gov. Ferguson directs flags be lowered to half-staff.

Read more...

Flags at Half-staff: Tragedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Flag Directive - August 27, 2025 (Tragedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota)

From Gov. Bob Ferguson

Pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation, I hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the victims who tragically lost their lives on August 27, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, August 31, 2025, or first thing Monday morning, September 1, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Please email FlagRequests@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Read more...

Flags at Half-Staff Wednesday August 20, 2025

Flags at Half-Staff - August 20, 2025 (Sergeant Kenneth Salas)

Gov. Bob Ferguson says "I am deeply saddened by the death of Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Kenneth Salas, 59, and direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

"Sergeant Salas died in the line of duty on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Sergeant Salas served with the Sheriff's Office for 34 years and was a United States Air Force and Washington State Air National Guard veteran."

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, August 20, 2025

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A memorial service will take place on Wednesday, August 20th, at the Spokane Convention Center at 1:00pm.

Please email FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Read more...

Flag Directive - June 25, 2025 (Former Secretary Ralph Munro)

From Gov. Bob Ferguson

I am deeply saddened by the death of former Secretary of State Ralph Davies Munro and hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, June 28, 2025. 

Former Secretary of State Ralph D. Munro passed away on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, June 27, 2025. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, June 28, 2025, or first thing Monday morning, June 30, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 2:00pm at the Washington State Capitol Legislative Building Rotunda.

Please email FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Read more...

Flag Directive - June 1, 2025 (Former Speaker of the House and State Representative Frank Chopp)

Flag Directive - June 1, 2025 (Former Speaker of the House and State Representative Frank Chopp)

From Governor Bob Ferguson

I am deeply saddened by the death of former Speaker of the House and State Representative Frank Chopp, and hereby direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Sunday, June 1, 2025. 

Frank Chopp passed away on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

I have no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, May 30, 2025. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, June 1, 2025, or first thing Monday morning, June 2, 2025.

Other government entities, individuals, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A memorial service will take place on Sunday, June 1, 2025 at 2 pm at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue.

Please email FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov if you have any questions about this flag directive.

Read more...