Gov. Tony Evers signed Executive Order #247 ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024, in honor of Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, who passed away on Sun., Dec. 1, 2024, at the age of 81.

“Justice Prosser devoted his career to public service, from working for a congressman and his local community to serving as a legislator and his nearly two decades as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice,” said Gov. Evers. “His career was unique—he did a little bit of everything—and he spent much of his life seeking new and more impactful ways that he could make a difference in our state. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, staff, and former colleagues as they mourn his passing.”

Former Justice Prosser was raised in Appleton and attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he received his law degree in 1968. Former Justice Prosser first entered public service as an attorney for the United States Department of Justice and then as a staff member for United States Representative Harold Froehlich (R-Wisconsin). In 1976, he was elected to serve as Outagamie County District Attorney. In 1978, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly and represented the 42nd Assembly District from 1979 to 1983, the 79th Assembly District from 1983 to 1985, and the 57th Assembly District from 1985 to 1997. While in the State Assembly, former Justice Prosser served as minority leader for six years and as the 72nd Speaker of the Assembly from 1995 to 1997. After his time in the Legislature, former Justice Prosser was appointed to the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission in 1997 and served there until he was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by former Gov. Tommy Thompson in 1998, where he served for 18 years before retiring in 2016. Former Justice Prosser also served on various commissions, committees, and councils, including the Uniform Law Commission, the Wisconsin Supreme Court Planning and Policy Advisory Committee, and the Wisconsin Judicial Council.

Services for former Justice Prosser will held on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024, in Appleton.

Executive Order #247 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Dec. 14, 2024