Flags at Half Staff Today and Tomorrow

U.S. flags throughout the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of U.S. Army Capt. Drew Russell on Thursday, Oct. 20 and Walker Police Officer Trevor Slot on Friday, Oct. 21.

“Capt. Russell made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms,” Snyder said. “My sincere sympathies go to his family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time.”

Russell, 25, of Scotts, died Oct. 8 of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a rocket-propelled grenade in the Kandahar province in Afghanistan.

Russell was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo. He joined the Army in 2008 and his first overseas deployment was to Afghanistan on June 13.

His personal decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Bronze Service Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Parachutist Badge and the Overseas Service Bar. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the NATO Medal and the Combat Action Badge.

Slot, 41, of Grand Rapids, a nine-year veteran of the Walker Police Department, was killed Oct. 13 while attempting to deploy Stop Sticks on I-96 to end a car chase following a bank robbery. The suspects were shot and killed by police.

“Officer Slot’s death is a terrible loss for the Walker community and our entire state,” Snyder said. “May his family, friends and fellow officers in the Walker Police Department find comfort knowing he performed his duties as a law enforcement officer with pride, bravery and integrity.”

Slot received numerous recognitions for his outstanding work while with the Walker Police Department.

Public visitation is Thursday, Oct. 20 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Third Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. A full honors funeral will start Friday at 1 p.m. at Resurrection Life Church in Grandville. After the service, there will be a funeral procession through downtown Walker and a committal service at Rosedale Cemetery in Grand Rapids.

When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the United States flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.