By order of the Governor of the State of Missouri, U.S. and Missouri flags shall be flown at half-staff at all government buildings in the city of St. Louis, the Fire Fighters Memorial of Missouri in Kingdom City, and firehouses statewide on Thursday, January 20, from sunrise to sunset in honor of St. Louis Fire Department Firefighter Benjamin James Polson.
State government departments are responsible for distributing this information throughout your department for compliance with this order. You can find the proclamation from the Governor here.
Mark Hill
Director, OA FMDC
WHEREAS, in November 2019, Benjamin James Polson entered the St. Louis Fire Academy's Kenneth G. Smith, Sr. Memorial Recruit Class and graduated with the class on March 20, 2020; and
WHEREAS, on January 13, 2022, Firefighter Polson was among the brave St. Louis Fire Department firefighters who responded to a two-and-a-half-story brick structure fire in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of St. Louis; and
WHEREAS, after conducting a rapid primary search for victims and quickly extinguishing flames on the first floor, Firefighter Polson was among the firefighters who advanced to the second floor to search for victims and continue fighting the blaze; and
WHEREAS, Firefighter Polson was killed in the line of duty when the roof and top story of the structure collapsed, burying him; and
WHEREAS, firefighters courageously and selflessly devote their lives to ensuring the safety and well-being of their fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, the people of the State of Missouri are thankful for the sacrifices of the brave emergency responders who risk their own lives to protect the lives and property of their fellow citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael L. Parson, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, as a mark of respect for the death of
FIREFIGHTER BENJAMIN JAMES POLSON
and for his bravery and service to the St. Louis Fire Department and the citizens of St. Louis do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of Missouri shall be flown at half-staff at every fire station in the State of Missouri, at the Fire Fighters Memorial located in Kingdom City, Missouri, and at all government buildings in the independent City of St. Louis from sunrise until sunset on January 20, 2022.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Missouri, in the City of Jefferson, this 19th day of January, 2022.
Michael L. Parson