US, Michigan flags fly at half-staff for west Michigan fire chief David Haverdink

Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday, January 5, ordered the U.S. and Michigan flags throughout the State Capitol Complicated and all public buildings and grounds within the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, January 6, in honor of Western Michigan Hearth Chief David Haverdink, who was killed within the line of responsibility.

“Chief Haverdink was a proud household man and a devoted public servant,” Whitmer mentioned. “He exemplified the selflessness and dedication that firefighters throughout Michigan display day-after-day. Allow us to honor this fallen hero and maintain his household and your complete Hamilton Hearth Division in our ideas.”

Haverdink, 74, served on the Hamilton Hearth Division for 51 years, together with almost 40 years as chief.

Haverdink was struck and killed by a automobile on Dec. 23 whereas responding to a medical incident with firefighters in Heath Township close to Nederland, in line with the Allegan County Sheriff’s Workplace.

“Haverdink is properly revered all through West Michigan, serves on quite a few boards and organizations, and offers wonderful service to residents within the (division’s) protection space,” ACSO mentioned within the assertion following the incident. “The household and (the division) ask for peace, privateness and prayers as they work by means of this very tough time.”

Hamilton Hearth Division, in a Facebook message on Jan. 5 mentioned a visitation for most of the people will happen at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. fortieth St. in Nederland on Monday, Jan. 5 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Funeral providers with full honors can be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Central Wesleyan Church. The service can be streamed stay on https://centralevents.online.church/.

A funeral procession heads west to sixtieth Avenue, south to 136th Avenue and east to Riverside Cemetery at forty seventh Avenue. The general public is inspired to comply with the route from Central Wesleyan in Nederland to M-40 and 136th Avenue in Hamilton. Haverdink’s household can be within the lead hearth division.

“Reserve 136th Avenue from M40 to forty seventh Avenue for the household and Hamilton Hearth Division personnel,” the fireplace station requested.

To decrease flags to half-staff, the flags should first be raised to the highest for a second after which lowered to the half-staff place. The method is reversed earlier than the flag is lowered for the day.

The flags should be returned to the total workers on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

Who was Chief David Haverdink?

Haverdink, 74, served on the Hamilton Hearth Division for 51 years, together with almost 40 years as chief.

Haverdink labored for the Hamilton Distributing Firm and finally grew to become president and co-owner.

Haverdink pursued a profession in regulation enforcement and have become a reserve deputy sheriff for Allegan County in 1980, Whitmer’s workplace mentioned.

Haverdink’s neighborhood service and involvement prolonged past his work in public service, the press launch mentioned.

In 1990, he grew to become a member of the Allegan County Board of Commissioners. In 1992, Haverdink gained the place of Allegan County Sheriff and remained within the function for 2 phrases, advocating for the sheriff’s division and security initiatives.

How lengthy ought to flags fly at half-mast?

On Tuesday, January 6, flags should fly at half-mast from dawn to sundown. The flags must be absolutely manned once more on Wednesday, January 7.

Easy methods to correctly fly your flag at half-mast

On days when the flag is flown at half-mast, it should first be hoisted “firmly” to the highest of the mast for a second after which slowly reduced to the half-staff place, in line with the American flag code.

Earlier than decreasing the flag, it should be raised once more earlier than being lowered for the day.

Are flags at half-mast or half-mast?

Flags are flown at half-mast on ships and at naval stations ashore.

The flags are flown at half-mast on shore.

When do flags fly at half-mast?

State officers announce which days to fly the Michigan and U.S. flags at half-staff on-line. You may as well join notifications about flag awards.

On the next days the flag is at all times lowered to half-mast:

• Peace Officers Memorial Day: Could 15 – half workers from dawn to sundown; besides when Peace Officers Memorial Day falls on Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in Could)
• Memorial Day: Final Monday in Could: The flag should be flown at half-mast till midday after which flown to the highest of the workers.
• Patriot Day: September 11
• Nationwide Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: December 7

When flags are lowered to half-staff, Michigan residents, companies, faculties, native governments and different organizations are inspired to show the flag at half-staff.