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Governor Dayton Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Police Officer Scott Patrick

8/5/2014 11:12:44 AM

In honor and remembrance of Police Officer Scott Patrick, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset, on Wednesday, August 6, 2014.

Police Officer Patrick was 47 years old and a nineteen-year veteran of the Mendota Heights, Minnesota Police Department, and the department’s senior officer. Officer Patrick was a native of the West Side of Saint Paul, and felt called to be an officer because of his desire to help others.  He was a dedicated public servant, with a friendly demeanor, contagious smile and laugh, and a sincere and genuine approach to life and work.

Officer Patrick was a family man — a devoted father to his two teenage daughters, Erin and Amy; a loving husband to his wife of 26 years and high school sweetheart, Michelle; and a center point of his immediate and extended family. 
Officer Patrick died on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, after being shot in the line of duty. He is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia, and his brother, Mike, and will be remembered and loved by his wife, Michelle; children, Erin and Amy; father, Richard; siblings; and many other relatives, friends, and community members.

The State of Minnesota recognizes Officer Scott Patrick for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow citizens of Minnesota with its deepest gratitude, and all thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and entire community. 
A celebration of Scott’s life, with full police honors, will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at Saint Stephen’s Lutheran Church in West Saint Paul, Minnesota, followed by interment at Acacia Park Cemetery.At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies its flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota police officers killed in the line of duty, on the day of interment. /governor/assets/flags_officer_scott_patrick_tcm1055-100765.pdfA copy of Governor Dayton’s proclamation, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff across our state, can be found on the Governor’s website here.


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Flags at Half-Staff
In keeping with appropriate flag etiquette and U.S. Code, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton may order the state flag to be flown at half-staff under very limited circumstances. He may also order the national flag to be flown at half-staff on state property only. A state flag on state property is required by law to be flown at half-staff if the national flag is flown at half-staff. 

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