Governor Bruce Rauner has ordered all state flags lowered to half-staff to honor the sacrifice of Rockford Police Officer Jaimie Cox.
Cox, 30, was mortally injured after he reportedly grabbed a vehicle he had pulled over for a traffic stop as the driver attempted to speed away early Sunday morning. Officer Cox was able to fire before falling to the ground, hitting and killing 49-year-old Eddie L. Patterson of Rockford.
The Governor has notified the Department of Central Management Services that all persons or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff in honor of Cox from sunrise Thursday to sunset on Saturday.
The City of Rockford ordered flags lowered to half-staff on Sunday.