Flags at half-staff on July 26, 2018
Governor Dayton Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff in Honor of Minnesota Corrections Officer Joseph Gomm
ST. PAUL, MN – In honor and remembrance of Minnesota Corrections Officer Joseph Brian Gomm, Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, July 26, 2018.
Officer Gomm, forty-five years of age, dedicated sixteen years of exemplary service to the Minnesota Department of Corrections. From Blaine, Gomm enjoyed cooking, playing video games, and had a love for animals.
Officer Joseph Gomm was killed in the line of duty at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Stillwater on Wednesday, July 18, 2018. He is survived by his mother, Gloria Gomm; brothers, Ken (Mary) Shuey, Norman Gomm Jr., and Anthony Gomm; sisters, Angela (George) Wood and Audrey (Chris) Cone; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins; his loving friend, Denise Vician; special friends, Tom and Vicki Chronakos, Rich Rauschen Dorfer and his many correctional officers and colleagues.
A celebration of Officer Gomm’s life with public safety honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Thursday, July 26, 2018, preceding the service at 10:00 a.m.
At the direction of the Governor, Minnesota flies its flags at half-staff following the death of Minnesota first responders fallen in the line of duty, on the day of interment.
Governor Dayton’s proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS: Corrections Officer Joseph Brian Gomm was born on January 21, 1973; and
WHEREAS: Corrections Officer Gomm dedicated 16 years of exemplary service to the Minnesota Department of Corrections; and
WHEREAS: Corrections Officer Gomm was an outstanding corrections officer, who was admired and respected by his colleagues, and served with dignity and pride; and
WHEREAS: Corrections Officer Gomm enjoyed cooking, playing video games, and had a love of animals; his quick witty demeanor will be missed by all; and
WHEREAS: Corrections Officer Gomm was killed the line of duty on Wednesday,July 18, 2018; and Officer Gomm is survived by his mother, Gloria Gomm; brothers, Ken (Mary), Shuey, Norman Gomm Jr., and Anthony Gomm; sisters, Angela (George) Wood and Audrey (Chris) Cone; several aunts, uncles, nephews, cousins; his loving friend Denise Vician; special friends Tom and Vicki Chronakos, Rich Rauschen Dorfer, his many fellow corrections officers and colleagues, and community members; and
WHEREAS: A celebration of Joseph’s life, with public safety honors, will be held on Thursday, July 26, 2018, at North Heights Lutheran Church in Arden Hills, Minnesota, followed by interment at Roselawn Cemetery; and
WHEREAS: The State of Minnesota recognizes Corrections Officer Joseph Brian Gomm for his dedicated service to, and sacrifice for, his fellow citizens with its deepest gratitude, and all thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and entire community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, MARK DAYTON, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sumise until sunset, on Thursday,July 26, 2018, in honor and remembrance of Corrections Officer Joseph Brian Gomm.