Oct 1, 2007 6:24 pm US/Eastern
Flag Of Honor Raised On Behalf Of Fallen Officer
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MIAMI DADE (CBS4) ―
The U.S. Flag of Honor has been raised on behalf of a fallen Miami Dade police officer.
Shortly after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Texas Governor Rick Perry arranged for the flag from the Capitol Building of the State of Texas to be sent to the State of New York City in honor of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Officers from around the nation collaborated in establishing the longest police motorcade in U.S. history. The Honor Guard presented the flag to the Governor of New York, George Pataki, at New York Police Headquarters to commemorate their fallen officers and firefighters.
The flag was flown during the recovery efforts at ground zero and at the memorial services for the Port Authority in New Jersey. It was then recommended by the New York Fraternal Order of Police President that the flag be used for all other service men and women around the nation, honoring them just as the heroes of 9/11. Since then the flag adopted the name United States Flag of Honor.
In October 2004, the flag was sent to Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq. The flag was flown over U.S. military camps and bases, honoring U.S. military men and women who lost their lives in defense of our country.
Recently, the Broward Sheriff's Office flew the flag to honor Sgt. Christopher Reyka who was killed in the line of duty on August 10.
Monday, Miami-Dade Police Department Director Robert Parker took receipt of the flag from Broward's Acting Sheriff, Al Lamberti. It was taken to MDPD Headquarters Complex where it was raised to honor Officer Jose Somohano, who was killed in the line of duty on September 13, 2007.
The U.S. Flag of Honor will be transferred on October 5, 2007, to Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office to honor their fallen hero, Sgt. Ron Harrison, who was killed in the line of duty on August 15, 2007.
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