Flags will be lowered to half-staff this weekend across Washington state as part of a tribute to fallen firefighters. Governor Bob Ferguson issued the directive Monday that all state agency facilities will lower flags to half-staff at the close of business Friday, and leave them until sunset on Sunday.
The directive is in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, which will commence May 3-4. In 2001, then-President George Bush signed a law that required all federal buildings nationwide to lower flags to half-staff to memorialize fallen firefighters.
The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial will add three western Washington firefighters to its Roll of Honor in 2025. The Roll of Honor acknowledges firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Alvin D. Vaughn was part of the Port of Seattle Fire Department for 36 years, according to the memorial’s website, before passing away in 2023.
Dean G. Warren, who died last year, was part of several different fire departments during his lengthy career, including South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue Regional Fire Authority. Warren most recently was working with Chelan County Search and Rescue.
Leslee Denise Smith was a lieutenant for North Whatcom Fire and Rescue in what was her second career after years as a child and family counselor and behavior specialist.
Two other Washington state firefighters will also be added to the Roll of Honor. Ryan T. Pleasants from Walla Walla and Ron Cato from Pend Oreille County Fire District 2.
Vaughn, Warren and Smith are among the 140 fallen firefighters who will be honored during the annual event in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
