Summary
During late December 2025 and early January 2026, four U.S. states flew their flags at half-staff to honor public servants and remember recent tragedies. Wyoming, Louisiana, Delaware, and West Virginia each lowered flags to show respect and mark significant events or losses.
Key Facts
- Flags in Wyoming were lowered to honor Judy Catchpole, the former Superintendent of Public Instruction, who died in December 2025.
- Louisiana lowered flags for four days to remember 14 victims of a terrorist attack in New Orleans that occurred in January 2025.
- Flags in Delaware were at half-staff for a state trooper killed in a shooting at the Wilmington DMV.
- West Virginia honored two National Guard members; one died and the other survived a shooting in November 2025.
- The lowering of flags is a way to show respect and recognize the sacrifices and risks faced by community members and public servants.
