Raimondo orders flags to half-staff on Officers Memorial Day

May 15, 2016 10:28 am

By: The Associated Press

news@abc6.com

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo is ordering all state and U.S. flags lowered to half-staff in Rhode Island in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day.

The order will be in effect from sunrise to sunset Sunday, when the national observance will be held to honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund says 123 officers died last year, and 36 have died this year. The fund says one officer dies every 61 hours in the U.S.

President John F. Kennedy in 1962 declared every May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day.