Governor DeWine orders flags lowered in honor of the life and service of Preble County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Hamilton, life of Michael Gayhart II

In honor of the life and service of Preble County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua Hamilton and the life of Michael Gayhart ll, Governor Mike DeWine has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio to be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Preble County, the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center and the Rhodes State Office Tower Monday, Dec. 18, and will remain until sunset on the day of the second of the two funerals.

All other public buildings and grounds throughout the state may fly the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio at half-staff at their discretion for the same time period.

Editor’s note: According to the Preble County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Hamilton, 34, died early Monday morning in a two-vehicle crash. Deputy Hamilton had been with the Sheriff’s Office since May of 2022. He was assigned to the Jail until June of 2023, when he was promoted to Road Patrol. Hamilton had served in the United States Navy Reserve and was currently serving in the United States Army National Guard.
He is survived by parents and his 10-year-old daughter.

Gayhart, 36, of West Elkton was also killed in the crash, according to WHIO.