Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs ordered that flags in Arizona fly at half-staff through Friday in honor of Raúl Grijalva

.

Grijalva, 77, died Thursday after a battle with lung cancer. He had served in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than 20 years

“I am devastated by the loss of Representative Raúl Grijalva and my heart is with his family and loved ones. He was a true champion for the people of our state,” Hobbs said in a statement. “For over two decades, he was a fierce advocate for his constituents and a fighter to uplift Arizona’s most vulnerable communities, with a steadfast focus on ensuring justice for all. “

Hobbs highlighted Grijalva’s work to protect the environment, provide health care and respect tribal sovereignty, adding that “to his last day, he remained a servant leader who put everyday people first while in office.”

Here’s what to know about the difference between half-mast and half-staff and why flags are flown at half-staff.

What is the difference between half-mast and half-staff?

Typically, the difference between the two is where the flag is being flown. Half-mast refers to flags flown on ships, while half-staff is used for flags flown on land.

Rep. Raúl Grijalva dies at 77:

What to know about his life and legacy

When are flags flown at half-staff?

There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States. The Arizona state website outlines those days as:

• Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.
• Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
• Patriot Day.
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
• National Firefighters Memorial Day.

U.S. presidents can also declare that flags be flown at half-staff on the death of a notable person, according to the site. In those cases, the flag would be flown at half-staff in these instances:

• 30 days from the death of the president or a former president.
• 10 days from the day of death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States, or the speaker of the House of Representatives.
• From the day of death until the interment of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or the governor of a state.
• The day of death and the following day for a member of Congress.

The governor can also order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on the death of a notable present or former government official or member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty.

In Arizona, the governor can also require that the state flag be lowered at all state, institutional and educational buildings. The law also allows the state flag to be lowered on the death of an incumbent elected state officer for seven days beginning on the day following the death of the officer.

Politics: After Rep. Raúl Grijalva’s death, what’s next for his seat?