Salem police to keep ceremonial flags in patrol cars

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Police in Oregon’s capital will keep ceremonially-folded American flags on hand to present to families of deceased veterans.

The Statesman Journal reports (http://stjr.nl/1VUXysS ) that Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says several flags are now stocked in police fleet supervisor vehicles.

Salem Police Officers Chad Galusha and Adam Waite, both veterans, were investigating after a man died of natural causes and discovered that he served in World War II. Galusha says Waite went out of his way to find an American flag to honor the man.

Galusha proposed keeping flags on-hand for such occasions.

An initial batch of flags was donated by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Services.

Officers have already bestowed the program’s first flag upon a veteran. Donated flags will also be used to honor fallen police officers and firefighters.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com