BOP Program Statement 1020.04 § 3

a. Certain Memorial Days. The flag is flown at half-staff on the following memorial days:

■ National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Usually the first Sunday in October;

announced by Presidential Proclamation.

■ Peace Officers Memorial Day. May 15th unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

■ Memorial Day. The last Monday in May, until noon only, then raised to the top of the

staff.

■ Patriot Day. September 11th.

■ National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. December 7th.

b. By Presidential Order. The flag is flown at half-staff by order of the President, upon the

death of principal figures of the United States Government; a Governor of a state, territory, or

possession; and in the event of death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, as follows:

■ President or former President. For 30 days from the day of death.

■ Vice President, the Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice, or the Speaker of the House of

Representatives. For 10 days from the day of death.

■ Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of an executive or military

department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a state, territory, or possession.

From the day of death until interment. The term “executive or military department”

means any agency listed under 5 U.S.C. §§ 101–102.

■ Member of Congress. On the day of death and the following day. The term “Member of

Congress” means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner

from Puerto Rico.

Should the President issue such a proclamation, all federal buildings nationwide will half-staff

the flag.

1020.04 3/19/2026 PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT 2

c. By Order of a State Governor or the Mayor of the District of Columbia. The Governor

of a State, territory, or possession, or the Mayor of the District of Columbia (DC), may order the

flag to be half-staffed upon the death of a present or former official, or of a member of the

Armed Forces from that state, territory, or possession who dies while on active duty in

accordance with 4 U.S.C. § 7 (m). Should a governor or mayor of DC issue such a proclamation,

all Bureau facilities in that jurisdiction will follow local direction.

d. Federal Agency or Department Head. The Attorney General or the Director of the Bureau

may order the flag to be half-staffed on facilities under their jurisdiction, on occasions which

they consider proper in accordance with Proclamation No. 3044, 19 Fed. Reg. 1235 (Mar. 1,

1954), as amended by Proclamation No. 3948, 34 Fed. Reg. 19699 (Dec. 12, 1969). Pursuant to

this authority, the Bureau authorizes half-staffed flags for its staff in accordance with the

Program Statement Procedures in the Event of a Staff Member’s Death. For staff whose death

is considered outside of the definition of in-the-line-of duty, special considerations (e.g., moment

of silence etc.) can be made.