I receive inquiries about
casket flags for law enforcement funerals on a regular basis. They have
included such questions as:
·
Can a casket flag
be used for an officer who committed suicide?
·
Does an officer
have to be a veteran to have a casket flag?
·
Can a casket flag
be used for retirees?
·
Can there be more
than one casket flag folded and presented?
·
Can a casket flag
be used for a canine?
These questions were related to
a variety of circumstances, including officers’ deaths from illness, accident
or suicide and officers killed in the line-of-duty. I will share my responses
to these inquiries in this blog and add some additional personal thoughts.
There have been times when an
active or retired officer has been involved in criminal activity that
contributed to their death. In one situation, an officer was involved in a
felony hit and run and when the investigators came to his home to confront him,
he committed suicide. Another off-duty officer was trying to flee a vice prostitution
sting and died in a traffic collision. Another officer was working an
unauthorized off-duty security job as a body guard and drew his weapon and
committed an ADW against a citizen, not knowing that the citizen was an
undercover officer, who drew his weapon and fired, killing the body guard. Yet
another officer was on-duty and was being arrested by investigators when he
resisted and drew his weapon, resulting in his being shot by an investigator.
Whenever an active or retired
officer’s death results from them being investigated for criminal activity or is
the result of their participation in criminal activity, the agency should not
provide an honors ceremony at the funeral. This includes having a casket flag,
the folding, and presentation.
I use this criminal activity
introduction to describe casket flags for suicides. Officers who commit suicide,
without any criminal activity involved, do not commit a crime. Therefore, there
is neither a protocol to restrict the use of a casket flag nor is there any
protocol recommending it. It is the chief’s decision.
Since the draping of the
casket with the National flag is a military tradition that began during the
Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815) and is a common sight in our military funerals,
many people think that it is only for veterans. I have received numerous calls
about the appropriateness of having a casket flag for a non-veteran active duty
or retired officer. I even had an inquiry because a funeral director advised
that a casket flag was not appropriate for a line-of-duty death because the
officer was not a veteran. A casket flag is appropriate for all active duty
officers, especially those killed in the line-of-duty, and all honorably
retired officers.
Can a casket flag be used for
retirees? Yes! Again, it is at the chief’s discretion.
There is one casket flag per
casket and therefore only one flag to be folded and presented to the surviving
family. Additional National flags can be presented to various family members and
these flags should be pre-folded. I attended a funeral where the family
insisted on having the casket covered twice and two flags folded and presented
to two different family members. The family’s wishes were honored, because it’s
ultimately the chief’s decision.
The United States Flag Code
is a guideline, not a law. There are few, if any, absolutes. Many of the
sections say “Should …” rather than “Shall …” Funeral coordinators should try
to adhere to the code but there may be times when a modification may be needed
to accommodate the wishes of the family or agency. Dignity and respect are the
key considerations.
The flag code says that flags
should not be carried horizontally. I was managing a service with an honors
ceremony inside the church and there was no casket, the officer was cremated. The
honor guard, made up of his co-workers, wanted to carry the flag down the
center aisle horizontally rather then vertically and then proceed to fold it
and present it. The ceremony was done with dignity and respect and went very
well.
A casket flag is a special
flag. It is 5 x9 ½ feet, cotton, with embroidered stars. It is never silk
screened.
A controversial flag issue I
get inquiries about is the appropriateness of having a casket flag cover the
casket of a canine, especially one killed in the line of duty. I am not aware
of any protocol that recommends or discourages the use of a national flag as a
canine casket flag. The U.S. Flag Code refers to U.S. citizens, veterans, highly
regarded state and national figures but makes no mention of canines.
I know of line-of-duty memorial
services for canines that had a casket and a casket flag, folding and
presentation and some that didn’t. I know of memorials where the canine was
cremated and there was no casket but there was still a National flag, folding
and presentation. The decision to have a casket flag or a National flag folded
and presented is always at the discretion of the chief or sheriff.
I believe that there should
not be a casket flag or a National flag folding and presentation for a canine,
because there should be a clear demarcation maintained between police dogs and
the human beings they serve. I think that the National flag should be reserved
for the officers who took an oath to protect the Constitution of the United
States, accepted the responsibilities and risks associated with that oath, and
who sacrificed their lives to fulfill it. I am aware of strong opinions on both
sides of this issue. Once again, it is a chief’s decision.
Another related casket flag
issue is, “Can a casket flag be placed, folded and presented for a civilian?”
The answer is absolutely yes! There is no flag code section restricting the use of a flag
for civilian members of an agency. The Code permits a casket flag for any U.S. citizen.
Again, it is the chief’s decision.
According to the U.S. Supreme Court decision, there are no legal restrictions upon the use of the American flag. It is legal to have a flag on the coffin of a Dog, and a non veteran(just an ordinary citizen who is very patriotic).
ReplyDeleteMilitary troops are provided and buried under our national colors because they served our nation, while most police officers only serve a local community, county or state, therefor would it not be more appropriate that they are buried under the flag they served IE a state, county or city flag? Just food for thought.
ReplyDeleteWhen an officer takes an oath of service they are expected to protect all citizens of the United States, not just local or state. That's my food for thought.
DeleteAs a 30 year retired Deputy Sheriff Sergeant, I, along with all of my fellow officers took the oath to protect and serve 24 hours a day. It was made clear to us that even while "off" duty, we never really were. Upon taking that oath we promised to assist, respond, observe, report and aid in any way we could any time an incident occurred. Where we were - in or out of our "jurisdiction " or state had no bearing. We were expected to use our training to serve. It is my humble opinion that as such we have more than earned the privilege of being buried with a United States flag. To think otherwise truly indicates one has no concept of what a responsibility an officer has, or the fear his/her family lives with through the duration of the career. Thank you.
DeleteYes sir, you are absolutely correct. I was medically retired due to injuries incurred on duty while a PO. I worked a high powered area and was involved in 4 ambushes which I luckily survived. I was even detached for a very short time to help body guard one of our presidents back in the 70's. I was never more than ten away from him. Go figure, the SS must have been short handed. When I pass, I would like to think my wife has earned it, putting up with me all these years.
DeleteWe've had folks ask how the flag is folded, please watch this video. http://www.veteransflagdepot.com/how-to-fold-veterans-casket-flag/
ReplyDeleteWe've had folks ask how the flag is folded, please watch this video. http://www.veteransflagdepot.com/how-to-fold-veterans-casket-flag/
ReplyDeletePolice serve their local community. A community or state flag is appropriate. The US flag should be reserved for those defending the nation, the military.
ReplyDeleteThe American flag should be used and displayed in a casket for all Military branches of the United States of America who served or is active and retired of the armed forces including K-9 Military dogs. The President and the First lady of the United States of America. Any Public servent active or served or retired from a Federal, State and Municipal office. A Mayor, Governor, Senator, Congressman and Legislature of the United States of America. A police officer active and retired and K-9 Police dog used to protect our community and nation. A fire fighter active and retired. Must be a citizens of the United States of America.
ReplyDelete