NY State Order · Half-Staff
Flags at Half-Staff for Stephen Woehrle
August 1, 2026
Governor Kathy Hochul directed flags on all New York State government buildings to be lowered on Saturday, August 1 from sunrise to sunset to honor Fire Chief Stephen Woehrle of the Piseco Volunteer Fire Company. Woehrle died in the line of duty on July 20, 2026, while responding to an emergency alarm. He was a 9/11 responder and retired police officer who began his fire service career at age 18, serving as a two-term chief of the Elmsford Fire Department before moving to Piseco in 2019, where he became chief in 2024.
Flag protocol
Flags on all New York State government buildings shall be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Source: www.governor.ny.gov