MADISON, Wis. — Flags are to be flown at half-staff on Monday, Feb. 13 in honor of fallen Milwaukee police officer Peter Jerving, Gov. Tony Evers announced Friday.
It comes after GOP lawmaker criticism of the governor’s response. Lawmakers said they were disappointed that it took Evers until 11 a.m. on Tuesday to acknowledge the tragedy and that when he did so, it was on Twitter and not a formal statement.
They also raised questions as to why the flags had not yet been ordered to half-staff. GOP lawmakers called it an “insufficient response,” pointing out that he had done this for previously fallen officers.
And just minutes before the press got a copy of the GOP response letter Thursday, the governor tweeted his intention to fly flags at half-staff Monday.
Now, the formal half-staff order has come through, along with a statement.
“Officer Jerving was a devoted officer who proudly served his city, having spent most of his life wanting to become an officer. By all accounts, he was a dedicated and distinguished public servant who demonstrated exemplary courage, and his passing is an exceptional loss for the city of Milwaukee and our state,” said Gov. Evers in a press release. “Kathy and I join Wisconsinites across our state in continuing to keep Officer Jerving’s parents, loved ones, and friends and colleagues, including the Milwaukee Police Department, as well as the entire city of Milwaukee, in our hearts and prayers as we mourn his tragic death.”
The Executive Order #185 will be in effect from sunrise to sunset on Monday, the same day as Jerving’s funeral.