Event Type Statute (link) Extraordinary Event 10-1-161 (F) (G) Memorial Day Observance 10-1-161 (A) Person of Extraordinary Stature 10-1-161 (F) & (G) POW/MIA Day Observance 53-3-165 (B), (C) & (D) Procedure 10-1-161 (C) & (H) State Buildings 1-3-470 & 53-3-165 State Capital Building 1-3-470, 10-1-161 & 53-3-165 State Political Subdivision Buildings 1-3-470 & 53-3-165 (B) SC Constitutional Officers (current/former) 10-1-161 (B) (2) & (3) SC Firefighters (killed in the line of duty) 1-3-470 SC General Assembly Members (current) 10-1-161 (B) (4) SC Governors 10-1-161 (B) (2) & (3) SC Governor's Order 1-3-470 & 10-1-161 (F) & (G) SC Law Enforcement Officers (killed in the line of duty) 1-3-470 SC Lieutenant Governors (current/former) 10-1-161 (B) (2) & (3) SC Supreme Court Members (current) 10-1-161 (B) (5) US Associate Justice of the Supreme Court 10-1-161 (E) US Chief Justice (current/former) 10-1-161 (E) US Congressional Act 10-1-161 (G) US Congressional Members from SC (current/former) 10-1-161 (B) (1) US Military/SC Residents (killed in the line of duty) 10-1-161 (D) US Presidential Order 10-1-161 (G) US Presidents (current/former) 10-1-161 (A) (6) & (E) US Secretary of a Federal, Executive, Military Department (current) 10-1-161 (E) US Speaker of the House of Representatives (current) 10-1-161 (E) US Vice President (current/former) 10-1-161 (E) STATUTES SECTION 1-3-470. Lowering flags upon death in line of duty of firefighter or law enforcement officer.  >> Top of Page The Governor on the day of burial or other service for any firefighter or law enforcement officer in this State who died in the line of duty shall order all flags on state buildings to be flown at half mast in tribute to the deceased firefighter or law enforcement officer. The Governor shall also request that flags over the buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half mast for this purpose. SECTION 10-1-161. State Capitol Building flags flown at half staff.   >> Top of Page (A) On Memorial Day the flags, which are flown atop the State Capitol Building, must be displayed at half staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff. (B) To honor and pay tribute to the following public officials the flags which are flown atop the State Capitol Building must be lowered to half staff on the day on which funeral services are conducted for these public officials: (1) current and past members of the United States Congress from the State of South Carolina; (2) current constitutional officers of the State of South Carolina; (3) former Governors and Lieutenant Governors of the State of South Carolina; (4) current members of the South Carolina General Assembly; (5) current members of the South Carolina Supreme Court; and (6) current and former Presidents of the United States. (C) As contained in this section, "half staff"means the position of the flag when it is one half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. (D) In addition to the public officials enumerated in subsection (B), flags atop the State Capitol Building must be lowered to half staff on the day when funeral services are conducted for members of the United States military services who were residents of South Carolina and who lost their lives in the line of duty while in combat. (E) The flags atop the State Capitol Building must be flown at half staff for a period of thirty days from the date of death of the President or a former President; for a period of ten days from the date of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, or a retired Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives; and from the date of death through the date of interment of an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, or a secretary of a federal executive or military department, or a former Vice President. (F) Upon the occurrence of an extraordinary event resulting in death or upon the death of a person of extraordinary stature, the Governor may order that the flags atop the State Capitol Building be lowered to half staff at a designated time or for a designated period of time. (G) The Governor may order the flags atop the State Capitol Building to be lowered to half staff for the same designated time when an act of the United States Congress or a presidential order is issued to lower flags to half staff over federal buildings. (H) The flags atop the State Capitol Building, when flown at half staff must first be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff position. The flags must be again raised to the peak before they are lowered for the day. SECTION 53-3-165. POW/MIA Recognition Day.   >> Top of Page (A) The third Friday in September of each year is declared to be "POW/MIA Recognition Day" in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of South Carolina to observe "POW/MIA Recognition Day" with appropriate ceremonies and activities. (B) Flags atop state and local public buildings must be flown at half staff at least until noon on "POW/MIA Recognition Day". (C) The POW/MIA flag shall be flown or displayed on "POW/MIA Recognition Day" in South Carolina on the grounds or in public lobbies if the flags are provided, except for the State Capitol Building and the State House grounds. (D) As used in this section, the term "POW/MIA flag" means the National League of Families POW/MIA flag recognized officially and designated by Section 2 of Public Law 101 355.