GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER REVEREND JESSE JACKSON
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State Tomorrow, February 18, and on the Day of Reverend Jackson’s Funeral Service
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered at half-staff to honor the life and public service legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday, February 17 at the age of 84. Flags will be lowered on Wednesday, February 18 concurrently in honor of former Representative Richard L. Ottinger.
“Reverend Jesse Jackson’s life was defined by courage and conviction. From Selma to the national stage, he stood tall against racial injustice,” Governor Hochul said. “Today, I join New Yorkers in honoring his legacy and the generations he inspired. My thoughts are with the family of Reverend Jackson and all those whose lives he touched.”
Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate, rose to prominence in the Civil Rights era. He propelled the Civil Rights Movement in the decades following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and founded People United to Save Humanity (PUSH) in 1971. His activism spanned decades, including two runs for the Democratic presidential nomination, in 1984 and 1988. Jackson also helped secure the release of several detained and captured Americans around the world.
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GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS STATE FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF IN HONOR OF FORMER REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD L. OTTINGER
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State Tomorrow, February 18, and on the Day of Representative Ottinger’s Funeral Service
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday, February 18 to honor the life and public service of Former Representative Richard L. Ottinger, who passed away on Monday, February 16 at the age of 97.
“Representative Ottinger was a prolific public servant who believed in making New York a better state for all,” Governor Hochul said. “A prominent environmental advocate throughout his time in Congress and into retirement, Representative Ottinger led by example, fighting for a more sustainable and environmentally sound New York. I send my deepest condolences to the Ottinger family and all his loved ones.”
A leading environmental advocate, Representative Ottinger served in Congress for 16 years, representing a majority of Westchester County. First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1965, Representative Ottinger served three full terms followed by a second decade of service beginning in 1975. Over the course of his life in public service, Representative Ottinger championed efforts to clean up the Hudson River, curb pollution, and preserve New York’s vital natural resources.
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Current flag status on New York State buildings can be checked here.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF NYS CORRECTIONS OFFICER CHARLES HALL
Governor Kathy Hochul has directed flags be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, February 7th, from sunrise to sundown in honor of NYS Corrections Officer Charles Hall, who passed away on duty on January 21, 2026.
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Current flag status on New York State buildings can be checked here.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR FALLEN NEW YORK STATE POLICE MAJOR FRANK J. KEYSER
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Friday, January 30
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all State government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of fallen Retired New York State Police Major Frank J. Keyser on Friday, January 30, 2026.
“Today, we honor Major Keyser and his dedication to protecting his fellow New Yorkers immediately following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and throughout his decades long career in law enforcement,” Governor Hochul said. “As we lower flags in remembrance of his life and service, I am sending my deepest condolences to Major Keyser’s family and loved ones.”
On January 11, 2026, Major Keyser died from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around Ground Zero following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. He retired from the New York State Police after 34 years of dedicated service on November 30, 2020.
Major Keyser is survived by his wife and son.
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Current flag status for New York State buildings can be checked here.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF STAFF IN HONOR OF RETIRED SERGEANT MICHAEL L. PIRO
Flags Will Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Saturday, January 10
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed that flags on all state government buildings be flown at half-staff in honor of retired New York State Police Sergeant Michael L. Piro.
“A distinguished member of the New York State Police, Sergeant Piro, stepped up to serve and protect his fellow New Yorkers when it was needed most,” Governor Hochul said. “I am profoundly grateful for Sergeant Piro and his dedication to keeping New York safe, and I join his family, colleagues, and community in honoring his life and service, and send my deepest condolences to those whose lives he touched.”
On January 6, Sergeant Piro passed away from an illness stemming from his assignment in and around the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 terrorist attack. He had retired after 30 years of dedicated service with the New York State Police on March 26, 2015.
Sergeant Piro is survived by his four children, and preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia.
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Current flag status on New York State buildings can be checked here.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS LOWERED TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR FALLEN FIREFIGHTER AND COMMISSIONER FOR THE PHOENICIA FIRE DISTRICT MICHAEL RYAN
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Saturday, December 20
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be lowered on Saturday, December 20 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Michael Ryan, firefighter and commissioner for the Phoenicia Fire District who died in the line-of-duty on December 13, 2025 while responding to a report of an injured hiker.
“With a distinguished career in the military, as a member of law enforcement and as a firefighter, Commissioner Michael Ryan spent more than four decades as a public servant working selflessly to protect others,” Governor Hochul said. “I extend my deepest condolences to Michael’s loved ones and colleagues as they remember his life and legacy. His unwavering dedication to service will not be forgotten.”
FLAG NOTIFICATION
Flags on New York State government buildings will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset onSunday, December 7, in observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
GOVERNOR HOCHUL DIRECTS FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF TO HONOR FALLEN NEW YORK CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREFIGHTER PATRICK BRADY
Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff Across New York State on Saturday, November 15
Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all State government buildings be lowered on Saturday, November 15 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Patrick Brady, a New York City Fire Department firefighter who died in the line-of-duty on November 8, 2025. Flags will be lowered concurrently in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney.
“The men and women of New York’s Fire Department risk their lives every single day to protect ours — that is exactly what Firefighter Patrick Brady did while battling a five-alarm fire on Saturday,” Governor Hochul said. “Firefighter Brady gave his life in service to his fellow New Yorkers, and I am grateful for his courage and 11 years with the department working every day to protect our city. I express my deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues as they honor his life.”
Governor Hochul Directs Flags to Half-Staff to Honor Former Vice President Dick Cheney
Governor Kathy Hochul is directing that flags on all state government buildings be lowered to half-staff immediately in honor of former Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away on November 3, 2025. Flags will remain at half-staff until interment.
Flags to full staff: Immediately
Flags return to full staff: Friday, November 21, at sunrise.