Lamont Orders Flags To Half-Staff In Honor Of Newtown Fire Chief

NEWTOWN, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont has directed that U.S. and state flags in Connecticut be lowered to half-staff in honor of Sandy Hook Fire Chief William Halstead, who died after responding to a call on Friday evening.

Flags should be lowered immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time, according to the order, released early Monday morning.

The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full-staff.

"Chief Halstead provided decades of service to the community in which he grew up and the community he loved," Lamont said. "His dedication is exemplary, and we are lucky to have leaders like him protecting the residents of Connecticut. His passing after responding to a call in the line of duty is heartbreaking, and I send my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow firefighters from the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company."

Halstead had a distinguished career that began early. He has been chief of SHVFR since 1978, joining the company in January 1965, at the age of 16. The chief was named the Connecticut Firefighter of the Year in 2019, and has also served as Newtown's director of emergency management and fire marshal. In 2011, the town's emergency operations center was named the William T. Halstead Sr. building in his honor. Two years ago, Halstead was elected president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association.

"Chief Halstead exemplified what it meant to be a true public servant, providing decades of selfless service to his beloved community," Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. "Our state's firefighters are some of the most courageous citizens in Connecticut, and we will forever be indebted to their service. My most sincere condolences go out to Chief Halstead’s family, friends, colleagues, and the Sandy Hook community."