Flags at half staff

Post by Mike Dougherty

Ever wonder about that line in news stories: "The governor ordered all U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff."

Here's the wording of the official proclamation from Gov. Tim Pawlenty for today's funeral of Mark Bedard, a Minneapolis Park Ranger who was injured in the line of duty and died last Friday.

"Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 7, 1973, to Larry and Kathleen (Froehle) Bedard; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1991.  In 1995, he graduated from Augsburg College; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard married Andrea Mathieu on May 26, 2001.  They have one son, Nicholas; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard began his career in law enforcement twelve years ago when he became a Park Patrol Agent for the Minneapolis Park Police Department; two years later, in 1997, he was promoted to Park Ranger; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard was extremely proud to be a police officer and had a deep loyalty to serve and protect.  During his career, he received numerous recognitions, including the Department’s Medal of Honor; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard was injured in the line of duty and died a hero on Friday, November 9, 2007, from injuries sustained on Thursday, November 1, 2007, when he was struck by a patrol car while involved in a foot pursuit; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard was a proud Minnesotan, devoted to serving his community.  Through the Department, he worked on horse patrol, instructed at a shooting range, and volunteered at local schools.  Outside of work, Officer Mark T. Bedard enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends who knew him to be an honorable, dedicated, and amiable man whose devotion to service was only matched by his commitment to his family and friends; and

Whereas:        Officer Mark T. Bedard is survived by his wife, Andrea Mathieu Bedard; his son, Nicholas; his parents, Larry and Kathleen; his brother, Michael and his fiancée, Valeria; and other loving family and friends, including his fellow officers with the Minneapolis Park Police Department and the greater State of Minnesota; and

Whereas:        Visitation for Officer Mark T. Bedard will be held Tuesday, November 13, 2007, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home in Edina, Minnesota; and

Whereas:        A funeral service for Officer Mark T. Bedard will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

Whereas:        Interment with full police honors will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2007, immediately following the funeral service and procession, at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and

Whereas:        The State of Minnesota thanks Officer Mark T. Bedard for his dedicated service to the people of Minnesota, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

Now, Therefore, I, Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all U.S. and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at the Capitol Complex, including state buildings, monuments and grounds in proximity to and including the Minnesota State Capitol from sunrise, until sunset, on Wednesday, November 14, 2007, in honor and remembrance of Officer Mark T. Bedard."