ST. PAUL, MN – In honor and remembrance of Emergency Medical Technician Marina DeSteno Challeen, 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, October 18, 2017.

DeSteno Challeen, twenty-four years of age, was raised in Stillwater and was a graduate of Stillwater Area High School and the University of Minnesota. She died on Monday, October 9, 2017, in a tragic collision when the ambulance in which she was riding collided with a semi-truck in Brooklyn Center.

The State of Minnesota recognizes DeSteno Challeen for her dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, her fellow citizens of Minnesota, with its deepest gratitude. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota.

At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies its flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota first responders killed in the line of duty, on the day of interment. A copy of Governor Dayton’s proclamation, ordering flags to be flown at half-staff across our state, can be found here.