'Half-staff' confuses some

Different interpretations arise about which flags should be lowered in officer's honor

(By Laura Graff, Winston-Salem Journal) - Flags are being flown at half-staff in honor of Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, the Winston-Salem police officer who died Monday after being shot last week by a man he was chasing near Peters Creek Parkway.

But across the city and county, at public buildings and private businesses, people are confused about what that means.

Some businesses were displaying just the U.S. flag at half-staff, with the North Carolina flag still flying high. Others have both flags lowered. Still others, including most Forsyth County buildings, have just the state flag lowered.