INDIANAPOLIS — In a statewide gesture of honor and mourning, Indiana Governor Mike Braun has directed that all flags across the state be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 15, 2025, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day — a national day set aside to remember law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

The order applies to residential, commercial, and government properties, with flags to remain lowered from sunrise to sunset. Braun’s proclamation aligns Indiana with a federal tradition dating back over six decades, established to recognize the sacrifices made by local, state, and federal law enforcement personnel.

“A solemn moment for every Hoosier”

“For all they give and all they risk, the very least we can do is honor them,” Governor Braun said in a statement issued from the Statehouse on Wednesday evening. “Peace Officers Memorial Day is a solemn moment for every Hoosier — a chance to reflect on those who never came home.”

The governor’s directive echoes the sentiment behind Public Law 87-726, signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, which designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the corresponding week as Police Week. The day is one of only two nationwide when U.S. flags are ordered to half-staff (the other being Memorial Day, until noon).

Honoring the fallen, supporting the living

While the flag directive is symbolic, the meaning behind it is deeply personal for many families and communities throughout Indiana.

In the past year alone, Indiana lost multiple officers in the line of duty — from traffic-related deaths to fatal shootings — each of them now inscribed in the annals of local heroism.

Among those honored this year:

• Deputy Noah Shahnavaz, Elwood Police Department – fatally shot during a routine traffic stop.

• Officer Jake Pickett, Boone County Sheriff’s Office – died pursuing a fleeing suspect.

• Officer Breann Leath, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department – killed responding to a domestic violence call.

Their names, along with thousands of others, are etched into the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., where wreath-laying ceremonies and candlelight vigils are taking place throughout this week.

A visible sign of respect

Lowering the flag is more than a federal protocol — it’s a public acknowledgment of grief, sacrifice, and gratitude.

In Indiana, that symbolism has taken on renewed significance in recent years, as law enforcement continues to face rising public scrutiny, mental health challenges, and increasing threats of violence.

“This simple act of lowering the flag serves as a silent but powerful tribute,” said State Police Superintendent Doug Carter. “It reminds the public that behind every badge is a human life — a parent, spouse, child — willing to step into danger for the rest of us.”

Participation encouraged statewide

Governor Braun’s office has asked all individuals, businesses, schools, and institutions to participate in the half-staff observance. Although compliance with flag-lowering directives on private property is voluntary, Hoosiers are strongly encouraged to join the gesture as a sign of unity and respect.

What You Need to Know:

• Occasion: Peace Officers Memorial Day

• When: Thursday, May 15, 2025

• Timeframe: Sunrise to Sunset

• Directive: Flags at half-staff across Indiana

• Applies to: Government buildings, residences, businesses, and commercial entities

National ceremony and moment of silence

While Indiana observes locally, the national Peace Officers Memorial Day service will take place at the U.S. Capitol, where President Joe Biden is expected to deliver remarks and lead a moment of silence.

Across the country, police departments will also pause operations for a minute of radio silence — a time-honored tradition that allows dispatch centers and first responders to honor their fallen colleagues in a shared moment of reflection.

Indiana’s continued commitment

The flag-lowering directive is part of Governor Braun’s broader focus on supporting law enforcement statewide. During his first months in office, Braun signed a bipartisan funding bill allocating $45 million toward police training, equipment upgrades, and mental health support for officers in high-risk roles.

He has also announced the creation of an Officer Resilience Task Force, aimed at addressing the rising rates of PTSD and suicide among Indiana law enforcement personnel.

“As we mourn those we’ve lost, we must also take care of those still serving,” Braun said earlier this week. “Respect means more than recognition — it means action.”