Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff in honor of Robert Sharkevich Sr., a member of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and former member of the Hartford Fire Department who died in the line of duty while responding to a brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin.

Flags should be lowered effective immediately and remain lowered until sunset on the date of interment, which has not yet been determined. The Office of the Governor will send out a notification when flags should be returned to full staff.

“I am very heartbroken to learn the news of the tragic loss of Firefighter Sharkevich, who died while bravely and courageously responding to the brush fire at Lamentation Mountain in Berlin,” Governor Lamont said. “His selfless dedication to public service and the safety of his community and the surrounding towns is nothing less than heroic. On behalf of the people of Connecticut, I thank him for the service he has provided to our state, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues in the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department and Hartford Fire Department.”

“This is a tragic reminder of the sacrifice and risk that our professional and volunteer firefighters face day in and day out when they put on their uniforms,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Firefighter Sharkevich bravely answered the call to assist the area’s fire crews in responding to this brush fire, and he will forever be remembered as a hero. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the members of the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department, the Hartford Fire Department, and Connecticut’s whole firefighting community. I am keeping each of them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers.”

In accordance with the governor’s directive, flags will be at half-staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state-operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time. Since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered.