Governor orders flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of police officer who died in line of duty

BOISE — Governor Brad Little has ordered both the U.S. and State of Idaho flags to be flown at half-staff to honor 36-year-old Post Falls Police Officer Nicholas McDaniel, who died in the line of duty Sunday.

Flags shall be flown at half-staff immediately until the day following the date of McDaniel’s memorial service, in accordance with Idaho Code 67-820.

The Governor’s Office will send an updated flag directive when the date of the memorial service is set.

“All of Idaho mourns when we lose an officer in the line of duty. Officer McDaniel was dedicated to his community and public safety, and we are deeply saddened by his sudden passing. Please keep Officer McDaniel’s family, many colleagues, and the Post Falls community in your prayers,” Governor Little said.

According to the City of Post Falls Police Department, McDaniel failed to respond to a status check from the communications center after completing a call for service. Officers were dispatched to McDaniel’s last known location, where they found him slumped over the wheel of his police vehicle.

The officers on scene immediately started CPR until Kootenai County Fire and Rescue arrived on scene and transported McDaniel to Kootenai Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The cause of death has been determined to be a massive heart attack.