In honor of fallen Topeka soldier, Pfc. Richard A. DeWater, flags throughout Kansas will fly at half-staff today. DeWater was killed April 15 in Afghanistan.

“We honor his sacrifice and service to our nation by lowering our flags and celebrating his life,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said in a release.

Sebelius signed an executive order in July 2007 allowing U.S. and state flags throughout Kansas to be lowered if a member of the Kansas National Guard or Kansas Air National Guard or a Kansas resident serving with the United States Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty.