(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff Friday, September 23, 2011 at 8 a.m. until Monday, September 26, 2011 at 8 a.m. in honor of volunteer firefighter Michael Collins and Iowa State Trooper Mark Toney.
On Sunday, September 18, 2011, volunteer firefighter Michael Collins, of Shelby, Iowa, was directing traffic around a car accident on Interstate 80 just east of the Shelby exit. Collins was struck by a motorist and killed. Collins will be laid to rest on Friday, September 23, 2011.
On Tuesday, September 20, 2011, Iowa State Trooper Mark Toney was on patrol when he was killed in a single-vehicle accident near Indianola, Iowa. Trooper Toney was a 24-year veteran of the Iowa State Patrol. He will be laid to rest Saturday, September 24, 2011.
Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of each funeral will be presented to each fallen public service members’ family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring them.