Flags are being held at half-staff across four states Friday and this weekend to honor, among others, a police officer shot and killed in the line of duty and a New York Thruway employee who died in a fatal incident at work.
Ohio
In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff until Saturday in memory of Euclid Police Officer Jacob Derbin, who was shot and killed on May 11.
According to a report by The Columbus Dispatch, Derbin, 23, had been called to a disturbance when he was ambushed by suspect Deshawn Anthony Vaughn. Vaughn, 24, was found dead in an apartment the following day.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement that it was Derbin's first year with the department.
"It is a cruel irony that a mother lost her son on Mother's Day, and that this murder happened just as we prepare to solemnize our fallen during Police Memorial Week," Yost said. "My heart burns with anger at this injustice, for the family of this young officer and the Euclid Police Department."
The flags will remain at half-staff until Derbin's interment on Saturday at St. Columbkille Church, in Parma, Ohio.
New York
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered flags on state buildings across the state to remain at half-staff in honor of Vincent "Vinny" Giammarva, a New York State Thruway Authority employee who was killed while working in the town of Chili on May 9.
According to a report by WKBW, Giammarva, 62, was hit by a tractor-trailer while in a work zone. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An obituary says that Giammarva—a "devoted husband, adoring and patient father"— had worked for the Thruway Authority for 20 years and was "revered by his co-workers as being dependable, diligent, and joyful."
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Patty, his children, Alex and Kayleigh, and grandchildren McKinley, Monroe, and Lincoln Fahnestock, among other family members.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at the American Legion, 53 West Main Street, LeRoy, New York, on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
"Our hearts are with the Giammarva family as they grieve the senseless loss of their husband and father," Hochul said. "Our thruway workers deserve our courtesy as drivers – their lives depend on us. New Yorkers should remain alert, slow down and move over when approaching a work zone."
New Hampshire
Governors in Iowa and New Hampshire have also called for flags to be lowered as part of events commemorating the lives lost and the services of state law enforcement.
New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu has directed flags to be flown at half-staff on Friday in recognition of the 32nd New Hampshire Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Ceremony, honoring the lives of state law enforcement killed in the line of duty.
A ceremony, open to the public, is being held Friday at the Law Enforcement Memorial on the lawn of the Legislative Office Building, 25 Capitol Street, Concord.
Iowa
In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds has ordered flags to be lowered for the Iowa Peace Memorial Ceremony and National Police Week until Saturday.
This year's memorial will honor, among others, Officer Kevin Cram of the Algona Police Department and Officer Phoukham Tran of the Des Moines Police Department, who both died last year.
Cram was shot and killed on September 13 while trying to arrest a suspect on an outstanding warrant. Suspect Kyle Rickie, 43, has been charged with first-degree murder.
Tran died on November 2, 2023. A report by the Des Moines Register said he had been critically injured in August 2011 after being hit by a truck at the Iowa State Fair. His death was said to have been associated with complications from his recovery.
"Officer Cram and Officer Tran served their communities with pride and compassion," Reynolds said in a statement. "As we reflect on the impact of their lives and service, let us never forget the lasting significance of the sacrifice they made. To their brothers and sisters in law enforcement, you are the legacy keepers of our fallen heroes."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
");jQuery(this).remove()})jQuery('.start-slider').owlCarousel({loop:!1,margin:10,nav:!0,items:1}).on('changed.owl.carousel',function(event){var currentItem=event.item.index;var totalItems=event.item.count;if(currentItem===0){jQuery('.owl-prev').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-prev').removeClass('disabled')}if(currentItem===totalItems-1){jQuery('.owl-next').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-next').removeClass('disabled')}})}})})
