Gov. Josh Shapiro ordered flags to be at half-staff Monday across Pennsylvania in tribute to slain Philadelphia Police Department officer Shane Seiber, who was killed in the line of duty over the weekend.
Seiber, 40, was a 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department who was fatally shot while responding to a report of a person with a gun in West Philadelphia on Oct. 10.
He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter. Some media outlets are reporting Seiber was a Bensalem resident. Bensalem Director of Public Safety Bill McVey declined to comment Sunday if Seiber is a township resident and referred questions to the Philadelphia Police Department. The city police public information officer did not immediately respond
to an email seeking confirmation. Online searches reveal a person with the name Shane Seiber residing in Bensalem.
In announcing the flag order, which applies to U.S. and Commonwealth flags at Pennsylvania facilities, public buildings and grounds, Shapiro called Pennsylvania's law enforcement officers "the very best of us," while Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said Philadelphia would "stand with" Seiber's family in the days ahead. Pennsylvania flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the date of his interment, which has not yet been announced
Why are flags at half-mast in Pennsylvania today?
Flags are flying at half-staff — not half-mast — in Pennsylvania by order of Gov. Josh Shapiro as a tribute honoring fallen Philadelphia Police Department officer Shane Seiber, who was fatally shot in West Philadelphia on Oct. 10.
Flags flying half-staff in Pennsylvania today, Oct. 12, will remain lowered across Commonwealth facilities, public building and grounds across Pennsylvania.
Philadelphia police officer shot: What happened?
Authorities said Shane Seiber was among officers responding to a report of a person with a gun in West Philadelphia when shots were fired, officials said during a press conference shared by CBS Philadelphia. Seiber was fatally wounded and another officer was also injured. Prosecutors identified the suspect as Eric Lewis, who faces charges including murder and attempted murder.
Police officer shot in Philadelphia: Who was Shane Seiber?
Shane Seiber was a 40-year-old, 10-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police Department. Officials said he was shot three times and killed in the line of duty on Oct. 10. He is survived by his wife, a 7-year-old son and a 3-year-old daughter.
How long will Pennsylvania flags remain at half-staff?
According to Josh Shapiro's order, Pennsylvania flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the date of Shane Seiber's interment. That date has not yet been announced, and an obituary was not immediately available.
What's the difference between half-mast and half-staff?
In the United States, half-staff is the official term used for flags flown on land, while half-mast traditionally refers to flags flown on ships and naval installations. Many people use the terms interchangeably when searching for flag-status information.
Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network's Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Why are flags at half-mast today? PA half-staff order, flag status
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