Half Staff Notifications
Flag Status
Flags are at half-staff today.
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on June 22, 2026, in honor of the interment of retired Maj. Gen. David P. Rataczak, who served as Arizona Adjutant General and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs from June 1999 to December 2008. A funeral service is scheduled for June 22; he passed away on June 5 at the age of 81.
Maj. Gen. Rataczak began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1965. After completing aviation training, he was assigned to the 334th Armed Helicopter Company, First Aviation Brigade, in Vietnam. There, he flew more than 1,000 combat hours.
After his active duty service, Maj. Gen. Rataczak was appointed as an officer in the Minnesota Army National Guard before transferring to the Arizona Army National Guard in 1982, where he served in a variety of roles, including as Commander, 385th Aviation Group, and Chief of Staff, Arizona Army National Guard. In 1996, he was appointed as the Assistant Adjutant General, Army, before being appointed Adjutant General in June 1999.
His awards include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 37 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Vietnam Campaign Medal, among many others.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“I’m sending my deep condolences to Major General Rataczak’s family and extending my gratitude for his decades of service. I know Arizonans join me in honoring his leadership and his legacy.”
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to noon on Memorial Day, May 25, in honor of all service members who have died for our country. The flag should then be raised to full-staff at noon to honor all veterans.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“Memorial Day is a time when we remember and honor the service members who have sacrificed so much for our country. We are deeply grateful to the heroes we have lost and the heroes who continue to serve, in conflict and in peacetime. Thank you to all service members, veterans and their families. We owe our freedoms to you.”
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices.
- Holiday05/25/2026
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on May 15 in honor of National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day is observed in conjunction with Police Week, May 10-16, and is recognized in honor of all federal, state and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“Today we honor law enforcement officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Every day, we are grateful for the men and women in law enforcement who make sacrifices to keep Arizonans and Americans safe. We stand with and mourn alongside the families, colleagues and communities who have lost loved ones in law enforcement.”
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices.
- Holiday05/15/2026
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on May 7, 2026, in honor of the interment of retired Maj. Gen. Glen W. “Bill” Van Dyke, who served as Arizona Adjutant General and Director of the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs from April 1994 until his retirement in May 1999. A funeral service is scheduled for May 7; he passed away on April 24 at the age of 86.
Maj. Gen. Van Dyke began his military career in the Arizona Air National Guard in 1961 as an aircraft refueler. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1965 and attended pilot training. Over his career, he flew more than 5,000 hours in various aircraft, including F-102s and F-16s. He assumed the position of commander of the 162nd Fighter Group in 1984, securing the long-term success of the 162nd through the establishment of its current F-16 fighter pilot training mission and was promoted to the Air Component Commander of the Arizona Air National Guard in 1990 before becoming the Adjutant General in 1994.
His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He was also a recipient of the Order of the Sword, the highest honor bestowed by enlisted personnel, reflecting his deep commitment to those he led.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“My deep condolences to Major General Van Dyke’s family. We honor him today and thank him for his many decades of esteemed service to Arizona and to our country.”
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices.
- Interment05/07/2026
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, May 3, in honor of National Firefighters Memorial Day, and Monday, May 4, in honor of Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:
“We’ve experienced tragic losses in the firefighter and peace officer communities, and I know Arizonans will join me in remembering and honoring all of the heroes who died in the line of duty. We will never forget the courage and service of the men and women we’ve lost in Arizona, and we mourn alongside their families, friends, and all who loved them.”
Learn more about services planned from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation this weekend.
Learn more about the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremony planned for May 4.
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in these tributes.
- Holiday05/03/2026 to 05/04/2026
Gov. Hobbs Orders Flags to Half-Staff for La Paz County Superior Court Presiding Judge Marcus Kelley
Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on March 8 in honor of the interment of La Paz County Superior Court Presiding Judge Marcus Kelley.
Judge Kelley brought a breadth of experience to his public service, having worked at the Arizona State Senate, serving as an Assistant Attorney General as well as working as a prosecutor and in private practice. He passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 22 and is survived by his wife, Nickie, and their two children, William and Sarah.
Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices.
- Interment03/08/2026