Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all public buildings statewide on Monday in recognition of Peace Officers Memorial Day, the start of the national observance of Police Week. Flags should be lowered from sunrise to sunset, the governor’s office said.

In an official proclamation, President Donald Trump declared Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week to honor law enforcement officers injured or killed in the line of duty.

“Police officers are the thin blue line whose sacrifices protect and serve us every day, and we pledge to support them as they risk their lives to safeguard ours,” the president wrote. “Last year, 118 officers died in the line of duty, and of those, 66 were victims of malicious attacks. These attacks increased by nearly 40 percent from 2015. This must end. That is why one of my first actions was to direct the Department of Justice to develop a strategy to better prevent and prosecute crimes of violence against our Federal, State, tribal, and local law enforcement officers.”

Trump said in the proclamation that he and the first lady, Melania Trump, planned to light the White House in blue light on Monday in appreciation of the country’s law enforcement officers. He also called on all Americans to observe the day and week with ceremonies and activities. In addition to asking governors to direct that flags be flown at half-staff on Monday, Trump encouraged all Americans to lower the national flag at their homes and businesses.

Monday was the fifth time Hickenlooper has ordered flags in Colorado lowered this year. The first occasion was on Feb. 22 in memory of former Lt. Gov. Mark Hogan, who died Feb. 12. On April 6, the governor ordered flags lowered in honor of John Glenn until the former senator and astronaut was interred. President Donald Trump ordered flags nationwide lowered for the same period to honor Glenn. The governor ordered flags lowered on April 28 to honor Adams County Fire Rescue firefighter Brett Anderson. On May 4, the governor ordered flags flown at half-staff to honor former U.S. Rep. Ray Kogovsek, a Pueblo native and former state lawmaker.

The governor’s office maintains a web page displaying the current flag status for the U.S. flag and the Colorado flag.

— ernest@coloradostatesman.com