Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and across all public buildings and grounds to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, September 9 to honor and remember Detroit Police Sergeant Shannon Wright, who passed away from a medical emergency on duty. The flag lowering will coincide with the date of Wright’s funeral.

“Michigan will lower flags on Saturday to mourn the loss of Sergeant Shannon Wright, a dedicated public servant, mother, and daughter,” said Governor Whitmer. “Sergeant Wright was one of Detroit’s finest officers who put her life on the line every day to keep working families and communities safe. Our hearts go out to Sergeant Wright’s family, friends, and fellow officers through this difficult time and the entire community that has been impacted by her passing.”

Sergeant Wright joined the Detroit Police Department in October of 2000 and became a detective in 2014. Wright was then promoted to rank of sergeant in May of 2020. During her career, she received the Major League Baseball All-Star Recognition Award, the National Football League Super Bowl XL Recognition Award, the Rosa Parks Funeral Recognition Award, and was awarded a Citation, given out for service in the line of duty and required unusual thoroughness, conscientiousness, determination, and initiative in the performance of a difficult assignment. Wright was also a devoted mother to her two daughters.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of fallen Detroit Police Sergeant Shannon Wright by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full staff on Sunday, September 10, 2023.