EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2024-20

WHEREAS, the undersigned has been notified of the passing of Officer First Class Mark Reynolds of the South Carolina State Transport Police, who dutifully served as a law enforcement officer in this State and died in the line of duty; and 

WHEREAS, Officer Reynolds dedicated his life to protecting and serving the people of the State of South Carolina, both as a law enforcement officer and previously as a firefighter, and his loss warrants the people of this State appropriately recognizing his distinguished service and honoring his supreme sacrifice; and 

WHEREAS, Title 4, Section 7(m) of the United States Code, as amended, provides that “[i]n the event of . . . the death of a first responder working in any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving in the line of duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff”; and 

WHEREAS, section 1-3-470 of the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended, authorizes the undersigned, on the day of burial or other service for any law enforcement officer in this State who died in the line of duty, to order that all flags on state buildings be lowered to half-staff in tribute to the deceased law enforcement officer and to request that flags over the buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.

NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of South Carolina and pursuant to the Constitution and Laws of this State and of these United States and the powers conferred upon me therein, I hereby order that all flags on state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 8, 2024, in tribute to Officer Reynolds and in honor of his selfless service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. I request that all flags over the buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at halfstaff for this purpose. This Order is effective immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 6th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2024.

HENRY DARGAN MCMASTER

Governor