Why are flags at half-staff in Ohio on April 23, 2024?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered U.S. and Ohio flags to be flown at half-staff.

Flags have been lowered on Ohio’s public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio at all Ohio Department of Transportation facilities in honor of former Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray, who died recently.

The flags will also be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Licking County, at the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower, from Tuesday until sunset on the day of his funeral.

Wray, the only two-time director of the department, served under Governor Voinovich from 1991 to 1999 and Governor Kasich from 2011 to 2019. He is one of the longest serving state DOT directors in the nation’s history at 16 years.

According to ODOT's website, under Wray's leadership the department recruited a record number of women, minorities, and veterans. The department additionally put greater emphasis on making sure public contract opportunities were available to minority and disadvantaged companies. Wray also established a second-chance apprentice program to help transition ex-offenders from the Ohio Reformatory for Women into employment opportunities to prevent recidivism.

"Jerry was passionate about transforming ODOT into an organization that displayed what he called ‘excellence in government,' DeWine said. "The changes he ushered in will benefit our state for decades to come."

ODOT’s Central Office facility on West Broad Street was officially renamed the Jerry Wray Building as a dedication to Wray in December 2021.

"Jerry was a dedicated public servant and it is fitting that the (ODOT) building bears his name as he was beloved and respected by ODOT employees, contractors, and everybody who came into contact with him at work and in life," DeWine said.