COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — U.S. and Ohio flags will be flown at half-staff in Columbus and Hamilton County in memory of a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy killed in the line of duty late last week.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued the order Sunday, stating the flags on all public buildings and grounds in Hamilton County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Tower will remain at half-staff following Sunday’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.
DeWine issued the order in memory of Deputy Larry Henderson, who was struck and killed Friday, allegedly driven by the father of a teenager shot and killed by Cincinnati police the day before.
In a social media post Sunday, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office identified Henderson as the victim in Friday’s crash for the first time, saying he was a 33-year veteran of the department.
“In Deputy Henderson’s early tenure as a Sheriff’s Deputy, I recognized his talent for teaching and presentation,” Henderson County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey said in the post. “Larry began his journey as a Sheriff’s Office trainer early in his career. He developed an expertise and became an excellent trainer. Subsequently, he trained divisions of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office that included hundreds of deputy sheriffs. His ability to relate to and touch officers’ lives was extraordinary. We will continue to honor Larry’s life of service.”
Flags will remain at half staff until sunset on the day of Henderson’s funeral.
All public buildings and grounds across Ohio may fly the flags at half-staff at their discretion.