Washington Flags to Half-Staff for Sheriff Myers
Governor Bob Ferguson ordered state and U.S. flags lowered at state agency facilities in memory of Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson directed state and U.S. flags at state agency facilities to be lowered to half-staff through sunset or end of business on the day of a memorial service for Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers, who died October 27, 2026, at age 56. The public memorial is set for 1 p.m. on November 6, 2026, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.
Why it matters
The directive honors a longtime county law enforcement leader who was first elected sheriff in 2002 and died after a short battle with a rare, aggressive neurological disease. Flag orders of this kind apply to state agency facilities, while businesses and private properties are not required to follow them.
Myers was first elected sheriff in 2002 and died at age 56 on October 27, 2026. The directive covers state agency facilities, and the memorial takes place at 1 p.m. on November 6 at Beasley Coliseum.
The players
Bob Ferguson
Bob Ferguson is the Governor of Washington who issued the directive lowering state and U.S. flags to honor Sheriff Myers.
Brett Myers
Brett Myers was the Whitman County Sheriff first elected in 2002 whose death prompted the statewide flag order.
The details
Governor Bob Ferguson issued the directive lowering state and U.S. flags at state agency facilities, with flags lowered through sunset or end of business on the memorial day. Myers died following a short battle with a rare, aggressive neurological disease at Seattle's UW Medical Center.
Timeline
October 27, 2026: Brett Myers dies at age 56.
November 5, 2026: Governor's flag directive is reported.
November 6, 2026: Flags are lowered at state facilities and a public memorial is held at 1 p.m. at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.
Military Context
Washington maintains five pre-determined dates each year for half-staff flags, including December 7, and this order falls outside that schedule as a discretionary tribute to a county sheriff. Flag orders for public safety officials are a recognized state practice that honors service beyond the state's fixed observance calendar.
Residents who visit state agency buildings on November 6 will see flags lowered through sunset or end of business that day. Private businesses and properties are not required to follow the state directive.
The takeaway
Flag directives like this one show how Washington marks the loss of public safety leaders outside its fixed calendar of half-staff dates. Community members who want to attend can plan for the public memorial in Pullman on November 6.
What happens next
The public memorial for Sheriff Brett Myers is scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 6, 2026, at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, when flags will be lowered at state facilities.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Military section for context on flag honors and public service observances.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bellingham Herald.
